Various head coaches are experimenting with ways to take advantage of the new kickoff rule adopted by the NFL this offseason. As a former special teams coach, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has taken particular interest.
“I thought there were other options – I’ll just be clear about that,” Harbaugh said. “But, I was for doing something, and this is something. Basically, at this point, we’re committed to it.”
Per the NFL, the new rule will still have the launch point be from the kicking team’s 35-yard line. The difference is every player on the kicking team other than the kicker will now line up with at least one foot on the returning team’s 40-yard line. At least nine members of the returning team will line up in a “setup zone” beginning five yards opposite on its own 35-yard line. A minimum of seven players must have a foot on what is known as the “restraining line” stretching to its own 30-yard line. No more than two returners can be in the “landing zone” (defined as the zone between the goal line and the 20-yard line).
No players other than the kicker and the returners can move until the ball is fielded by a returner.
Any kick that is caught or lands in the landing zone must be returned. If it falls short of the landing zone it will be ruled a touchback and spotted at the returning team’s 40-yard line.
A kick has to be returned or downed by the receiving team if it hits the landing zone and then goes into the end zone. If it’s downed, it will be ruled a touchback and go to the 20-yard line.
If the ball hits the end zone and stays inbounds, it has to be returned or downed – if it’s downed, it is a touchback and moved to the 30-yard line. Finally, if the ball goes through and out of the end zone, it will be a touchback to the 30-yard line.
Harbaugh noted that the new rule basically eliminates the onside kick option but he likes how it will bring on more returns. The new strategy has Harbaugh and the Ravens staff eager to figure out ways to scheme up advantages.
“You just get right to work on how we’re going to teach it, how we want to coach it. We couldn’t wait to get out here, even in this type of a practice, and run plays and see what the angles look like,” Harbaugh said.
One of the advantages that other teams considered is using a player other than the kicker to handle kickoffs. It’s said to give them an extra tackle and avoid possible injuries for their kickers. In the case of the Ravens, that would make a lot of sense given how valuable Justin Tucker is to the team. But that’s not something Harbaugh has committed to.
Harbaugh said he’s told the players this new process is a collaboration because they’re learning the rule change together. Right now the goal is to get a feel for the angles and how to approach it. The fun will really come next month during training camp when the pads go on and they’re able to go full speed. Stay tuned for how this evolves especially during the preseason games.