In a decision that will mark a before and after in the National Football Leaguethe league’s owners voted in favor of implementing a radical change in kickoffs, joining other regulatory adjustments that football has had in recent times and that attempt to reduce injuries and concussions among players.
Although the start of the 2024 season is still several months away (September 5), players and coaches will need to start thinking differently about strategies.
During the annual owners meeting in Orlando, Florida, the NFL adopted a new format for kickoffs, inspired by models used successfully by the XFL. The first intention is to reduce the concussions caused by this type of plays and at the same time encourage the number of returns.
During the last few years, kickoffs became practically a formality and did not add to the show.
What do the changes consist of?
Under the new rules, 10 players from the kicking team and at least nine from the receiving team will line up just five yards away from each other, and will not start the race until the player receiving the kick touches the ball. This means that players will not be running at full speed when on the field, thus reducing the likelihood of serious injuries that have been seen in previous years during kickoffs. Only the kicker and one or two kick returners will line up separate from the group five yards away.
The change was approved with 28 votes in favor and three against (49ers, Raiders and Packers) of the owners of the NFL teams at the NFL Annual Meeting. All rule proposals require 24 of 32 votes for approval.
From what yard will the kickoff be taken?
The ball will be placed on the kicking team’s 35-yard line. 10 players from the kicking team will line up on the opposing team’s 40-yard line, while the receiving team’s nine or 10 blockers will line up on their own 35-yard line. The ball must land between the 20-yard line and the goal line of the receiving team. Should the kick go out of bounds or land before the 20-yard line, the receiving team will gain possession at its own 40-yard line.
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED: Chiefs send L’Jarius Sneed to the Titans
On the other hand, if the kick reaches the end zone for a touchback, the ball will be placed at the receiving team’s 30-yard line.
This rule change will not only modify the game strategy, but also promises to improve player safety in an aspect crucial to the survival of American football.
Are short kicks allowed?
The owners also determined that short kicks will only be allowed in the last period of the match, as long as the kicking team is at a disadvantage. In addition to this, you must announce the intention to kick short.
In the past, side kicks could be used unexpectedly to try to recover the ball at any time during the game.
How long will it be in force?
As almost happens when the NFL modifies its regulations, the new type of kickoff will be tested for a year. When the owners meet again in the spring of 2025 it must be approved again or the league will revert to its previous rule.
Goodbye to the tackle known as hip-drop tackle
The owners went beyond modifying the kickoff for the 2024 season. In another measure that seeks to reduce injuries among the protagonists of the game, the NFL eliminated the hip-drp tackle or hip drop tackle.
This play was used by defenders by holding the player with the ball and knocking him down by hanging on him and making an inward movement.
When defenders use this type of tackle, the referees may give a 15-yard penalty. They could also include fines for players.
The NFL Players Union opposed this rule change.
A violation will result in a 15-yard penalty and could ultimately result in fines for players.
According to figures from NFL manager Jeff Miller, the hip drop tackle was used 230 times and 15 players suffered injuries.
Related news
“It is not used very often, but when it is used, it is incredibly harmful to the running back,” said the president of the NFL Competition Committee, Rich McKay in statements reported by the AP agency. “The runner is totally defenseless. And I’ve heard advocates say it before, and I hear them, ‘Hey, you’re putting me in a really difficult situation.’ You’re saying I can’t hit here. What should I do?’ And my response has always been, ‘Well, you can’t do that, and that’s only because the guy you’re hitting is defenseless and has no way to protect himself.’ So we have to protect it and we have to come up with other ways, and you know what, they do it.”
Follow the Diario AS channel on WhatsAppwhere you will find all the sport in a single space: the current news of the day, the agenda with the latest news of the most important sporting events, the most outstanding images, the opinion of the best AS brands, reports, videos and, why no, also a little humor from time to time.
2024-03-26 19:16:04
#NFL #approves #radical #regulations #season
