A squib kick is a low, intentionally bouncing kickoff in American football used to deny return specialists a clean fielding opportunity and run precious seconds off the game clock. Instead of launching a high, deep kick toward the end zone, the kicker drives the ball flat across the turf, forcing blockers to scramble for possession and disrupting the opponent’s late-game strategy.
How Kickers Execute the Low Bounce
During a classic squib kick, the kicker strikes the football on its side rather than the upper third. This delivery keeps the flight path merely two to three meters above the grass, causing the ball to tumble erratically upon impact. Because the ball bounds unpredictably, the receiving team’s return specialist deep in the field cannot field it cleanly. Instead, frontline linemen or blocking tight ends—players unaccustomed to returning kicks—must fall on the loose ball. This chaotic retrieval burns valuable seconds and blunts any organized blocking scheme.
Clock Management and Risk Control in Tight Games
Coaches deploy the squib kick primarily as a clock and risk-management tool in the waning moments of a half or a game. When a team holds a narrow lead, standard deep kickoffs carry the dangerous potential of an explosive return into field-goal range. Conversely, attempting an onside kick introduces severe risk, as failure hands the opponent prime field position immediately. The squib kick bridges that gap by trading a modest amount of field position for guaranteed time drain and risk reduction, functioning much like the victory formation used to kneel out a win.
Bill Walsh and Ray Wersching Shape Super Bowl History
San Francisco 49ers head coach Bill Walsh and kicker Ray Wersching integrated the squib kick into regular playoff play during the 1981 NFL season. Facing the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI in January 1982, Walsh deployed two squib kicks just before halftime. The first forced Cincinnati deep, leading to a punt and a subsequent San Francisco field goal. On the second kick, the Bengals fumbled the erratic bouncing ball, allowing the 49ers to recover and boot another field goal before the break.
When the Tactic Backfires Against High-Powered Offenses
The strategy remains vulnerable if executed without precise timing. On October 12, 2008, Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith opted for a squib kick while leading the Atlanta Falcons by one point with 11 seconds remaining. The Falcons fielded the ball comfortably at their own 45-yard line, completed a quick pass, and kicked a game-winning 48-Yard field goal as time expired. The sequence highlighted the fine margin between burning clock and conceding manageable field position.
Rule Changes and the Modern Evolution of Kickoffs
The introduction of the dynamic kickoff rule for the 2024 NFL season reshaped special teams strategies by requiring kickers to land the ball within a designated landing zone between the opponent’s goal line and the 20-yard line. Missed targets or balls rolling out of bounds award the receiving team possession at the 40-yard line. While these league rules have effectively erased the traditional tumbling squib kick from professional play, the tactic remains legal and active in leagues operating under traditional kickoff rules, such as college football and the German Football League.
Keep reading
