What Are the New NFL Kickoff Rules?

NFL betting will certainly be more interesting in 2024 and beyond as there is a brand-new kickoff rule that fans got to experience for the first time in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, Aug. 1, between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans. 

We’ve seen recent NFL overtime rules and onside kick rules changes. Between these and the new kickoff rules, live betting will certainly be impacted more than ever. 

Below, I’ll explain the new NFL kickoff rules, which are similar to kickoffs you’ve probably seen in the XFL.  

What Are the New NFL Dynamic Kickoff Rules?

The new NFL kickoff rules, which the NFL has dubbed the “Dynamic Kickoff,” revolve around a landing zone and new special teams alignment. This rule change aims to make kickoff returns a more intriguing play while also limiting injuries. 

To start, teams will still kick off from the 35-yard line, and kickoffs following a safety still occur from the 20-yard line. 

The kickers will be alone when kicking off. The rest of the team (10 players) will line up with one foot on the receiving team’s 40-yard line. 

For the first time… the Dynamic Kickoff 🙌

📺: @ProFootballHOF Game on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/wga0LmuvtH

— NFL (@NFL) August 2, 2024

Here’s how the rest of it shakes out:

• The kicker cannot cross the 50-yard line until the ball hits the ground, the end zone, or a player in the landing zone. 
• Players on the kicking team cannot move until the ball hits the ground, end zone, or player in the landing zone. 

Here’s how it looks for the team receiving the ball:

• Setup zone: This zone is five yards from the 35- to the 30-yard line. At least nine players on the receiving team must line up here. 
• There must also be at least seven players with their foot on the 35-yard line. This is known as the restraining line. 
• If a player isn’t on the restraining line, they must be lined up in the setup zone but outside the hash marks. 
• Players in the setup zone cannot move until the kick hits the ground, the end zone, or a player in the landing zone.
• There can only be a maximum of two returners in the landing zone. These players can move. 

So, what’s the landing zone? 

• The landing zone is between the receiving team’s goal line and the 20-yard line. 
• If a kick fails to make it inside the landing zone, it will be ruled out of bounds, and the ball will be placed at the receiving team’s 40-yard line. 
• Kicks inside the landing zone must be returned. 
• If a kick hits the landing zone but rolls into the end zone, it must either be returned or downed. If it’s downed, the ball will be spotted at the receiving team’s 20-yard line. 
• However, if a kick hits only in the end zone, it can be returned or downed. If downed, the ball is placed at the 30-yard line. 
• If a kick goes out of the back of the end zone, the ball is placed at the 30-yard line. 

During kickoffs following a safety, it’ll be from the 20-yard line, but the landing zone remains the same.