What is Kickoff in American Football? Definition and Meaning

What is the Definition of Kickoff in American Football?

A kickoff in American football serves as the method of starting a drive and initiating gameplay. It occurs at the start of each half, as well as after a successful field goal or try. During a kickoff, one team, referred to as the kicking team, kicks the ball to the opposing team, known as the receiving team. This fundamental aspect of the game aims to establish possession and set the tone for the ensuing action.

The process of a kickoff typically involves a placekicker from the kicking team positioning the ball on a tee at a specified restraining line. The kicker then runs up to the ball and kicks it, sending it at least ten yards downfield or until it is touched by a member of the receiving team. The receiving team’s objective is to catch and return the ball, advancing it as far as possible toward the kicking team’s end zone, while the kicking team tries to stop their progress and regain possession.

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Key Takeaways

Kickoffs initiate gameplay in American football and determine possession.
Occurring at the start of each half and after scoring plays, kickoffs involve a kicking and a receiving team.
The procedure consists of a placekicker kicking the ball downfield, with the receiving team attempting to advance it.

What Is a Kickoff

A kickoff in American football is a crucial play that takes place at the start of each half, the beginning of overtime, and after a team scores a touchdown or field goal. It’s an essential part of the game, as it sets the initial field position for the receiving team and generates the excitement of a new drive.

During a kickoff, the kicking team’s placekicker sets the ball on a tee and kicks it down the field toward the receiving team. The main objective for the kicking team is to send the ball as far down the field as possible, making it more difficult for the receiving team to advance the ball and gain favorable field position.

It’s important for the kicking team to maintain proper timing and positioning as they sprint down the field to cover the kick. Meanwhile, the receiving team’s goal is to field the ball and return it as far as they can. They can either catch the ball in the air or pick it up if it bounces on the ground.

If the ball is kicked into the receiving team’s end zone and is not returned, it results in a touchback, which gives the receiving team possession of the ball at their 25-yard line. The receiving team can also choose to signal for a fair catch by raising one arm above their head and waving it side to side. Doing so means they receive the ball at the spot of the fair catch without any threat of being tackled.

Kickoffs must adhere to specific rules and regulations set forth by the league. Violations of these rules can result in penalties, which can impact field position or even lead to a re-kick. Some common penalties during kickoffs include offside (kicking team players crossing the line before the ball is kicked), holding, and illegal block in the back.

In summary, kickoffs play a significant role in determining field position and setting the stage for each drive in American football. Both the kicking team and the receiving team strive to execute their strategies effectively to gain an advantage over their opponents.

Types of Kickoffs

Standard Kickoff

A standard kickoff in American football occurs at the beginning of each half and after a team scores a touchdown or field goal. The team’s placekicker kicks the ball off a tee, sending it down the field towards the opposing team. Ten teammates surround the kicker, responsible for sprinting downfield and tackling the ball carrier once the receiving team gains possession.

Onside Kick

The onside kick represents a strategic variation of the standard kickoff. Typically, the kicking team employs this technique when they are behind in score and want to regain possession quickly. To execute an onside kick, the placekicker delivers a short, bouncing kick with the aim of traveling at least 10 yards. Following players from the kicking team attempt to recover the ball before the receiving team does. Bear in mind, however, that if the receiving team obtains the ball, they start their drive with excellent field position.

Squib Kick

A squib kick serves as another alternative to the standard kickoff. In contrast with the onside kick, this approach focuses on minimizing the receiving team’s opportunity for a substantial return. The placekicker performs a low, bouncing kick that travels down the field erratically, making it difficult for the receiving team to handle. Since the ball bounces unpredictably, the returner often spends more time gaining control of the ball, while the kicking team’s players quickly close in for a tackle. However, the squib kick also results in the receiving team starting their drive in decent field position.

Kickoff Procedure

Setup

During a kickoff in American Football, one team (the kicking team) kicks the ball to the opposing team (the receiving team). This typically happens at the start of each half, after a score, or at the beginning of overtime. The kicking team lines up at their own 35-yard line, with five players on each side of the ball and not able to line up more than one yard from the restraining line.

Kick

The placekicker from the kicking team initiates the kickoff by kicking the ball from a stable position on a tee down the field. The kicker aims to propel the ball as far down the field as possible, often sending it into the receiving team’s end zone for a touchback.

Receiving

As the receiving team, the primary objective is to catch the kicked ball and return it as far as possible toward the kicking team’s end zone. If the ball is caught in the end zone, the receiving player can either choose to take a knee, resulting in a touchback, or attempt to return the ball out of the end zone and advance up the field.

Fielding

While some members of the receiving team focus on catching and advancing the ball, the rest of the team sets up blocks to open up lanes for the ball carrier. The kicking team’s players, on the other hand, race downfield to cover the kick and prevent the receiving team from making significant yardage on the return. The receiving team’s goal is to establish the best possible field position for their offense to begin their drive.

Kickoff Rules and Regulations

Player Positions

During a kickoff in American Football, the special teams unit consists of a placekicker who kicks the ball from a stable position on a tee. The kickoff team must have five players on each side of the ball and cannot line up more than one yard from the restraining line. The kicking team will usually line up at the 34-yard line.

Violations and Penalties

There are specific rules governing the setup and execution of kickoffs in American Football. Some common violations and their penalties include:

Offside: If a player from the kicking team crosses the restraining line before the ball is kicked, it is considered offside. This results in a five-yard penalty, and the kicking team must re-kick.
Short kick: If the kickoff does not travel at least ten yards down the field before it is touched by a player from the kicking team, it is considered a short kick. The receiving team is awarded possession of the ball at the spot where it was touched.
Illegal touch: If the ball is touched by a member of the kicking team before it travels ten yards and before it is touched by the receiving team, it is considered an illegal touch, resulting in the receiving team gaining possession of the ball at the spot of the illegal touch.
Out of bounds: If the kickoff goes out of bounds without being touched by a member of the receiving team, the receiving team is awarded possession of the ball at their own 40-yard line.

Kickoff Strategies

A well-executed kickoff in American football is crucial for setting the tone and gaining an advantage over the opposing team. Effective kickoff strategies involve the right balance of hang time and kick placement, which vary depending on specific game situations. In this section, we will explore these two critical aspects of kickoff strategies.

Hang Time

Hang time refers to the duration the football is in the air after being kicked off the tee. A higher hang time allows the kicking team’s coverage unit more time to get down the field and put pressure on the return team. This strategy can limit the yardage gained by the returner and potentially force a fumble or a mistake.

To achieve optimal hang time, kickers should focus on striking the ball with the right part of their foot. Typically, the higher the kick and the deeper it goes, the better the chance of pinning the return team inside their 20-yard line.

Kick Placement

The placement of the kick is another vital aspect of kickoff strategies. The goal is to make it difficult for the return team to predict or plan a return, thus limiting their chances of gaining significant yardage. There are generally three types of kick placements: deep, squib, and directional.

Deep kicks are aimed at the opposing team’s end zone, often resulting in touchbacks. However, if a deep kick is not executed correctly, it may give the return team an opportunity for a sizable return.
Squib kicks are low, bouncing kicks that aim to confuse the return team and force them to field the ball awkwardly. These kicks can be effective in creating turnovers, but they also risk giving the opposing team good field position if not executed well.
Directional kicks target a specific area of the field or a specific returner. These kicks often sacrifice some distance for precision, aiming to limit the return team’s options and keep them from starting with favorable field position.

In summary, kickoff strategies play a significant role in American football. The blend of hang time and kick placement must be tailored to each game situation to maximize the kicking team’s chances of gaining an advantage over their opponents.

History and Evolution of the Kickoff

The kickoff in American football has undergone a significant number of changes since the inception of the sport. These changes were often implemented to improve safety, increase fan engagement, and maintain competitive balance. This section will delve into the history and evolution of the kickoff in American football.

In the early days of American football, the kickoff was used to put the ball in play at the beginning of the game and the beginning of the second half. The first overtime kickoff was implemented later in National and Arena Football Leagues. Traditionally, a coin toss is used to determine which team will kick off at the start of the game.

The kickoff rules have experienced multiple revisions over the years. Prior to 1932, the college rules committee handled these revisions, but since then, the NFL has adopted its own rulebook. One of the significant changes in recent years was the 2018 rules, which were initially passed for one season but made permanent in 2019. This change focused on contact formation to improve player safety.

Kickoff coverage has also seen some evolution in terms of player positioning and responsibilities. Players line up at the 20-yard line, timing their run perfectly to match the kicker’s approach, aiming to reach the 30-yard line just as the kicker’s foot connects with the ball. Players also need to evade the opposing team’s front line and, if necessary, force the returner toward the sidelines to limit their advancement down the field.

The technique used by placekickers during kickoffs has seen improvement over time as well. The goal is to kick the ball as far down the field as possible, ideally into the opposing team’s end zone, resulting in a touchback. Touchbacks have become more common in professional football, with some kickers having the ability to consistently send the ball the entire length of the field.

In conclusion, the kickoff’s history and evolution showcases the ongoing effort to adjust the rules and techniques in American football to create a safer, more engaging, and competitive sport.