NFL Kickoff Rules

The kickoff tends to be one of the most overlooked plays in the National Football League. Fans that may be fairly new to the game may not be familiar with all of the NFL kickoff rules and the intricacies involved in this play.

  1. When Kickoffs Happen

    • Kickoffs are held at the start of the game, at the start of the third quarter and also following every touchdown, field goal and safety. There is a kickoff at the start of an overtime period.

    How Kickoffs Work

    • The team that will be kicking the ball lines up at their own 30-yard line. The ball is placed on a one-inch tee, and the team lines up with the kicker in the center and the other 10 players surrounding him.

    Touchbacks

    • If the ball is fielded by a member of the opposing team in the end zone, and that player chooses to kneel down instead of trying to return the ball, it is ruled a touchback and the ball is brought out to his team's 20-yard line. The same is true if the ball goes into the end zone and out of bounds.

    Kicks Out of Bounds

    • According to NFL kickoff rules, if the football is kicked out of bounds without going into the end zone and without being touched by the receiving team, it is a penalty and the receiving team can take possession of the ball 30 yards from the spot of the kick.

    Turnovers on Kickoffs

    • After the ball is kicked off by the placekicker, it is considered a live ball. If it stays in play and does not go out of bounds, it can be freely recovered by the kicking team, even if no member of the receiving team has touched it.

    Other Notes Regarding Kickoffs

    • NFL kickoff rules dictate that a kickoff cannot score a field goal, even if the ball goes through the uprights. It is still a touchback.

    Onside Kicks

    • An onside kick must travel 10 yards or be touched by a member of the receiving team before the kicking team can recover it.