The 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame game Chicago Bears vs, the Houston Texans at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton Thursday ,August 1 , 2024.
Syndication: Massillon Independent
(Canton, OH) – The Pro Football Hall of Fame game is typically more ceremonial than exciting, but fans who tuned in were privy to the first showings of the league’s new kickoff rules.
These rules were adapted from other expansion leagues, and consists of never-before-seen formations for the kickoff.
10 members of the kicking team line up on the opposing team’s 40 yard-line, unable to move until the ball is in play. The kicker starts at the usual 35-yard line but is unable to cross midfield until the ball hits the ground or a player.
At least 9 members of the receiving team line up between their own 30 and 35-yard line with at most two returners in the “landing zone” – the space between the end zone and the 20 yard-line.
Any kick that lands in the landing zone must be returned. If a kick lands short of the landing zone the receiving team will get the ball at their own 40 yard-line. If a kick lands in the end zone or bounces out, it will be a touchback to the 30 yard-line.
The purpose behind this rule change was to increase kickoff returns and add some more excitement to the third phase of the game – but will it change much?
In 2023, teams could fair catch a kickoff anywhere within their 25 yard-line for a touchback which led to just 21% of kickoffs being returned – an all time low.
In Thursday night’s Hall of Fame game, just 1 of the 8 kickoffs in the weather-shortened affair went for a touchback. The longest return was by Chicago’s John Jackson III for 31 yards.
Through a small sample size it looks as though the new rule will not change much other than an increased rate of returns, as field position stayed relatively consistent. The primary change comes from increased chances of a kick being returned back with more opportunities.
