NFL owners approve massive overhaul of kickoff rules

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NFL team owners on Tuesday decided to revive the kickoff and take a page out of the XFL’s book in its overhaul of the special teams play.

For the basic kickoff, the ball would be kicked from the 35-yard line with 10 other members of special teams lined up at the opposing 40-yard line. Five players will be lined up on each side of the field.

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The Dallas Renegades' Tre Watson, second from right, lines up for a kickoff during the XFL game against the Houston Roughnecks at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, on March 1, 2020. (Andrew Hancock/XFL via Getty Images)

The return team will have at least nine blocks lined up in the so-called "set up zone" between the 30- and 35-yard line. At least seven of those players will be touching the 35-yard line. Two returners will be allowed inside their own 20-yard line.

Only the kicker and two returners would be allowed to move until either the ball hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside the 20-yard line. A kick that reaches the end zone in the air can either be returned or the returning team could opt for a touchback, in which the team will receive the ball at the 30-yard line. If the ball goes out of the end zone, it will result in a touchback at the 30.

If a ball hits a returner or the ground before the end zone and it goes into the end zone, a touchback would be at the 20-yard line or the kick could be returned.

Jordan Smallwood, right, of the Los Angeles Wildcats lines up for a kickoff during an XFL game against the Tampa Bay Vipers at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, on March 8, 2020. (John McCoy/Getty Images)

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