By: Sean Davis 3/26/24
ORLANDO, FL - NFL owners voted to approve the hybrid kickoff rule for the 2024 season, aiming to boost returns while keeping player safety a priority. The new rule will introduce different alignments for both kicking and receiving units. The "landing zone" between the receiving team's goal line and 20-yard line will trigger action if the ball lands there. Kickoffs will still start at the 35-yard line, but the kicking team's remaining 10 players will line up at the opposing team's 40-yard line. The receiving team must have at least 7 players in the "set up zone" between their 35- and 30-yard lines, with a maximum of 2 returners allowed in the landing zone.
Over the past 15 seasons, the NFL has implemented various rule changes to discourage returns and minimize the risk of concussions. Touchback rates have significantly increased over the years, leading to a record-low return rate of 21.7% in 2023. While the number of concussions has also decreased, due to the decline in returns. League officials have noted that the rate of concussions per kickoff has remained relatively consistent.
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