Alteration to football kickoff rule approved



checked FBS stats - and if I added correctly there were something in the neighborhood of 60 KO returns for TD's in 2017.

Yes, KO returns have a higher risk of injuries - but a KO return for TD is one of the most exciting plays in football.

What this really means is that teams will all be looking for guys who can kick the ball through the end zone - no more "pooch" kickoffs, because there is no strategic advantage to kicking the ball short of the end zone. I wouldn't be surprised to see teams put a kick-off specialist on scholarship if they have a guy who can really boom it every time. (and not kick it out of bounds like the Gophers seem to do from time to time......)
 

It sounds like a rule that sounds nice ..... I just don't know how often it will be used.
 

checked FBS stats - and if I added correctly there were something in the neighborhood of 60 KO returns for TD's in 2017.

Yes, KO returns have a higher risk of injuries - but a KO return for TD is one of the most exciting plays in football.

What this really means is that teams will all be looking for guys who can kick the ball through the end zone - no more "pooch" kickoffs, because there is no strategic advantage to kicking the ball short of the end zone. I wouldn't be surprised to see teams put a kick-off specialist on scholarship if they have a guy who can really boom it every time. (and not kick it out of bounds like the Gophers seem to do from time to time......)

True, but that means less than half of teams had 1 in 12-13 games. Does that really justify the risk? Don't know the answer. I think I'd err on the side of fair catch if I was a coach. Usually those returns are done by one of the most skilled players on the team in college, is it really worth the risk to lose your top RB/WR/CB when more often than not they're lucky to get back to the 25? Maybe if you're down and need a jolt or whatnot, but especially if I had a lead...
 


checked FBS stats - and if I added correctly there were something in the neighborhood of 60 KO returns for TD's in 2017.

Yes, KO returns have a higher risk of injuries - but a KO return for TD is one of the most exciting plays in football.

What this really means is that teams will all be looking for guys who can kick the ball through the end zone - no more "pooch" kickoffs, because there is no strategic advantage to kicking the ball short of the end zone. I wouldn't be surprised to see teams put a kick-off specialist on scholarship if they have a guy who can really boom it every time. (and not kick it out of bounds like the Gophers seem to do from time to time......)

Once again, I ask to see the accredited study that proves this.
 

Once again, I ask to see the accredited study that proves this.

Maybe not injuries as a whole, but certainly concussions. Here's a NIH study on the NFL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ar...ion=click&contentCollection=meter-links-click

Table 4 outlines the risk of concussion per 1000 plays, by play type. From 2002-2007, concussions occurred on 8.7 of every 1000 kickoffs. That's compared to 2.89 of every 1000 punts, 1.71 of every 1000 rushing plays and 2.31 of every 1000 passing plays.
 

2012: We'll make it easier to kick touch-backs and give teams less incentive to return it.
Kicking teams: The 25?!? F*** that we'll just kick it to the 1.
2018: Now they get it on the 25 regardless.
Future: Kickoff becomes a token play like the extra point
 

2012: We'll make it easier to kick touch-backs and give teams less incentive to return it.
Kicking teams: The 25?!? F*** that we'll just kick it to the 1.
2018: Now they get it on the 25 regardless.
Future: Kickoff becomes a token play like the extra point

I mean, how many teams do you see trying to kick it to the 1 yard line? Most teams I see in college put it into the endzone on almost every kickoff anyway.
 



Get rid of the kickoff.

Give the team that would have kicked the option of giving the other team the ball on the 25, or trying a 4th & 15 from their own 30 or 35, the "onside kick" option.
 

I don't like it at all.

The high, short kickoff pinned between the hashes and the sideline is an incredibly effective tool, when used appropriately. If I'm a special teams coach, coaching KO return, I probably go straight to a hang time approach for the returner, regardless of where he catches the ball; any reasonable hang time on the KO and the returner calls a fair catch, no matter where it is on the field.
 

Kick-off returns were an important part of the game, but longer kicks have muted that. I hope this is not a slippery slope, with blocking and tackling aspects being toned down to "reduce injuries" (and perhaps allow women to play? In the feminist political climate of today a SCOTUS decision could affect the sport drastically).
 

I would sky the ball and make some OL fair catch it as much as possible and raise the chance he muffs it.
 



I still think a lot of teams will still try to return it in most situations just for the chance of a long return.
 

Kick-off returns were an important part of the game, but longer kicks have muted that. I hope this is not a slippery slope, with blocking and tackling aspects being toned down to "reduce injuries" (and perhaps allow women to play? In the feminist political climate of today a SCOTUS decision could affect the sport drastically).

I mean, women do play football today and have for 20 years. College football, even. No rules against it as far as I know.
 




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