WATCH: Bears, Texans display NFL’s new kickoff play for first time originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The NFL’s new kickoff is here and it’s clear that the Bears and Texans are still working out the kinks. The expectation was that neither team would show everything they’re working on with the new play, but the two teams probably hoped their first cracks at the new kickoff went more smoothly.
Take a look:
If you’re still trying to wrap your head around the new rules, you’re not alone. There are a lot of changes and it will take a bit of time to get used to the play.
Here’s how it works:
ALIGNMENT
The kicker will set up at the kicking team’s 35-yard line, just like the previous kickoff rules. The other 10 players on the kicking team, however, will line up on the receiving team’s 40-yard line. The kicker cannot cross the 50 until the ball lands or is fielded. The 10 players in coverage cannot move at all until the ball hits the ground or until it is fielded.
The receiving team must have nine players in a “setup zone” between their own 35 and 30-yard lines. Seven of those players must have a foot on the 35-yard line. Players without a foot on the 35-yard line must line up outside the hashes. The team can have two players set up to receive the kick in the “landing zone,” between the goal line and the 20-yard line. The players in the setup zone cannot move until the ball hits the ground or is fielded. The returners in the landing zone can move at any time.
TOUCHBACKS
Any kick that hits in the landing zone must be returned. If a kick drops in the landing zone and trickles into the endzone, it can be returned or downed. If downed, the ball will be placed at the receiving team’s 20-yard line. A kick that hits in the end zone can be returned or downed. If downed, the ball will be placed at the receiving team’s 30-yard line. A kick that goes out the back of the end zone will be placed at the 30-yard line, too. Any kick that hits short of the…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/watch-bears-texans-display-nfls-013111780.html
Author : NBC Sports Chicago
Publish date : 2024-08-02 01:31:11
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