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Learn about the new NFL kickoff fair catch rules for 2023
Adrian Curiel on Unsplash
New NFL Kickoff Rules
Every spring, the owners of the 32 NFL football teams gather for their annual meeting. Among the items on the agenda are possible rule changes for the new season. They vote, and every year there are some updates to the NFL rulebook.
Some changes are dramatic, and some are barely noticeable. In 2023, owners pass a rule that could have a huge impact on NFL games.
The new NFL kickoff rules state that when the player receiving the kickoff makes a fair catch anywhere between his goal line and the 25-yard line, the game is over and the ball will be positioned at the 25-yard line. Effectively, this makes a catch inside the 25 zone a touchback.
Clarification of the new NFL kickoff fair catch rule:
- The player who catches the kick must legally signal and complete a fair catch.
- This must occur within his own 25-yard line.
- As with any fair catch, the game is over.
- The offensive team will receive the ball at their own 25 position, regardless of where the actual reception is made.
This differs from the previous rule governing kickoff fair catches, which stated that the ball would be found at the yardline of the catcher’s fair catch. This rule will continue to apply to fair catches on kickoffs beyond the 25-yard line.
The NFL has already implemented this new rule for a one-season trial period, but if it sticks, it will significantly change the way the Special Teams play.
Why did the NFL change the kickoff rules?
The NFL cited safety concerns as a driving factor behind the rule change, which aims to reduce the likelihood of head injuries at kickoffs. This fits with other changes made to the game over the past few seasons aimed at reducing the number of kickbacks in NFL games, thereby reducing the number of bumps on kickoffs.
Some other notable changes to the tee rules in recent years:
- In 2016, the NFL changed the post-kickoff position from No. 20 to No. 25. The idea is that it will strategically make more sense for players to take the ball back than to take it out of the end zone.
- A rule change in 2018 meant that the 10 players in the kick-cover unit were no longer allowed to start running, which will hopefully reduce the severity of blocking collisions at kick-offs.
- In 2011, the teeing yard line was moved from 30 to 35 yards, again to encourage more touches and improve player safety.
The NFL has also made a number of changes to how players line up and block for safety at kickoffs. As a result of some of these changes, the NFL reported a 35 percent reduction in concussions at kickoffs for the 2018 season, and they’re sure to want to improve that number even further.
As with the 2023 launch rules, many of the rules will go through a one-year probationary period before becoming permanent.
Will the new NFL kickoff rules slow down a great returner like Cordarelle Patterson?
All-Pro Reel from the District of Columbia, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
How will the new NFL kickoff rules affect the game?
The Bigfoot return has the ability to initiate the offense with good floor position, affect the momentum of the game and, in the best cases, score quick runs at the plate. Likewise, good play from kick-cover units can pin down an offense deep in one’s own territory or force an opponent into turnovers.
While the special teams in the NFL may seem trivial compared to what happens in the offensive series, it is a very important part of the game. Knowing this, teams sign players specifically to special teams based on their abilities. These players have become less important in NFL games.
Still, Atlanta Falcons’ Kodarell Patterson, arguably the best receiver in NFL history, said the new rule won’t have a major impact on his strategy. In the case of the Falcons, with such a strong returner on their roster, maybe not.
But for 31 teams without Patterson, it might be. Why risk fumbles or injuries when a team can make it to the Top 25 on free passes? From a strategic point of view, this seems like a no-brainer for a returning team.
What about the other side of the ball? Kickers can make touchbacks well in some situations, but they’re also very good at dropping the ball at the one- or two-yard line in order to pin opponents deep with good kick coverage. With the new rule change, that strategy was thrown out the window.
Criticism from players, coaches and fans
Aside from the huge impact of the special teams’ strategic angle, one critique raised by fans is how such a rule could fundamentally alter important plays in football. To some fans, it appears the NFL is attempting to phase out kickoffs in what would be the biggest change in league history.
This would not only change the rules, but the very nature of the game. Arguably, it might not be long before we see offenses starting at the 25-yard line, no drives required.
From a player’s and coach’s perspective, some wondered how much that would help solve the problem. For example, the Patriots’ Matthew Slater, a 10-time Pro Bowl selection in his career as a special team, questions the sincerity of the NFL, especially given some of the other pressures the league puts on players.
This is a valid point. In 2021, the NFL expanded its schedule to 17 games, which means a total of 16 more games per season. And, because of Thursday Night Football, two teams a week are called to take short breaks. Both scenarios seem to favor the NFL as a product, while also opening up more opportunities for players to get injured.
The NFL continues to seek new ways to make kickoffs safer.
U.S. Air Force 2nd Lieutenant Keenan Kunst, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons
More new NFL rules for 2023
While the tee time change is the biggest news, we’ll see more rule changes in the 2023 season. Here are some of the more significant changes:
emergency quarterback
Anyone who has watched the Eagles beat the 49ers in the 2023 NFC Championship Game has seen how important it is to have a healthy quarterback on the lineup. With every available San Francisco quarterback injured, what should have been a great game turned into a very ugly one. A rule change in 2023 would allow teams to dress an emergency quarterback, but that quarterback would not count against the active 46ers.
Zero
Beginning with the 2023 season, No. 0 is once again the legal jersey number in the NFL. It can be worn by any player except offensive and defensive players. A few years ago, the league changed the jersey number rules to allow more positions to use lower-digit numbers, but it didn’t revert to zero at the time. Prior to 1973, zero was a legal number in the NFL.
new nfl
The NFL is always evolving, and with the prevalence of head and neck injuries, now is an important time to review the rules that affect player safety. It’s important to remember that the NFL’s kickoff fair catch rule will be tested for one season in 2023. It may become the standard, but for now, we’ll have to wait and see how it affects the game and whether it actually helps reduce injuries.
If the NFL game doesn’t look the same as it has in two decades, it’s because it isn’t. Players are bigger, stronger and faster than ever. Athletes, strength coaches, and nutritionists have made giant leaps over the past few decades and continue to push the boundaries of human performance.
By continually seeking new ways to keep players safe, the NFL sets the example for college and high school football. (It’s worth noting that the NCAA has had a similar kickoff fair catch rule since 2018.)
Most football fans understand the need for increased game safety. It’s a balancing act between finding ways to mitigate serious injuries and preserving the tradition of the game.
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