NFL owners approve small changes to kickoffs, including onside kicks
NFL owners approve small changes to kickoffs, including onside kicks A look at the small tweaks NFL owners approved to the kickoff rules implemented last year.
NFL owners have approved more changes to the kickoff rule. After changing the yard line where a team starts its drive on a touchback, some other changes were approved.
Owners approved allowing onside kicks at any point in a game rather than just in the fourth quarter, although a team must be trailing to be able to do so.
There are small changes to formations and alignments, and a receiving team now may have as many as three players in the setup zone to receive the kick.
So, in summary:
In 2025, for kicks that land past the goalline into the end zone for a touchback, teams will take over at the 35-yard line instead of the 30.
A trailing team may attempt an onside kick at any point in a game.
Receiving teams can have as many as three players in the setup zone instead of a max of two.
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