3 Kick-Off Rules Changes for 2012

[Moontan]

I just heard a lengthy interview with Mark Richt. The interview ended with a discussion of the new rules changes. I wasn't aware of the 3rd change, others may not be either.

Here they are:

1. Kick off moved up to the 35 yard line
   
2. Touchbacks come out to the 25. They didn't address touchbacks on punts, so I believe those still come out to the 20.
   
   Edit: from the NCAA "Touchbacks on other plays (for example, punts that go into the end zone, or fumbles that go out of the end zone) will remain at the 20-yard line."
   
3. The return team may now call for a fair catch for onsides kicks that are kicked to take a big bounce off the the turf.
   
   Edit: from ESPN - "On onside kicks, any player on the receiving team is given the same kick-catch and fair-catch protection whether the ball is kicked directly off the tee or is immediately driven into the ground and bounces into the air."

It'll be interesting to see how these changes will impact the game. Are coaches happy to let the opponent start from the 25? Will kick off specialists now emerge that can kick the ball high and drop somewhere around the 5 yard line? Will other onsides kick techniques be developed to avoid the fair catch scenario? Will coaches be less likely to call for an onsides kick?

We'll find out soon.

 

[CuseCrew08]

After our KO coverage last year, I think coaches will be happy giving the other team the ball on the 25. I think eventually the strategy should be to put more hang time on the ball and have it land near the goal line. It will give the coverage team and extra second to get down and tackle the ball carrier.

 

[texascpa]

That 3rd rule is ridiculous. It basically takes the on-side kick off the table.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

After our KO coverage last year, I think coaches will be happy giving the other team the ball on the 25. I think eventually the strategy should be to put more hang time on the ball and have it land near the goal line. It will give the coverage team and extra second to get down and tackle the ball carrier.

Coverage team is no longer allowed to get a huge running start. They can't be lined up more than 5 yards from the 35 on kickoffs.

 

[CuseCrew08]

Coverage team is no longer allowed to get a huge running start. They can't be lined up more than 5 yards from the 35 on kickoffs.

Its not like they get blocked immediately when they cross the 35 though, the receiving team's front line usually retreats once they see it isnt an onside kick.

 

[qdawgg]

IMO the onsides kick is stupid anyway. It makes absolutely no sense to me how it is even a rule. It goes against everything else the game is about.

 

[Rocco]

Damn Will Hicks.

 

[Millhouse]

just get rid of kicking. after a td put the ball at the 25. get rid of field goal posts too. you can keep punts even though coaches are stupid.

 

[kingottoiii]

If it is changed for punts as well then that makes a huge impact on the decision to punt or go for it.

The onside kick thing will help with safety but takes away any skill from onside kicks. Now you have to dribble it and hope to recover.

 

[All4SU]

The onside kick thing will help with safety but takes away any skill from onside kicks. Now you have to dribble it and hope to recover.

Or bang in hard off of another player and hope to recover. Or chip it over the line, and hope to beat them to the space.

 

[Tom Frey]

3rd rule I don't know about. There is no time for the kicking team to respond to a fari catch signal. by the time the ball takes a big hop the kicking team will be at the first line of defenders by the time the returner signals fair catch they will be right up on him.

 

[PhatOrange]

a 'big bounce' is a bit arbitrary.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

just get rid of kicking. after a td put the ball at the 25. get rid of field goal posts too. you can keep punts even though coaches are stupid.

I was with you up until keeping punts.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

IMO the onsides kick is stupid anyway. It makes absolutely no sense to me how it is even a rule. It goes against everything else the game is about.

I think that high school coach in Arkansas that has a reputation for being a crazy coach is the only sane one in the biz.

 

[upperdeck]

HS added some rules on blocking on kickoffs as well this year. Never heard any discussion that third rule all off season.

 

[Chip]

a 'big bounce' is a bit arbitrary.

Agree, that's going to be a mess. If you're on the receiving side, just start waving your arms no matter what. They'll have to bring in a bunch of slow pitch softball umps to determine the adequate height.

 

[dollarbill44]

Who gets to make the fair catch call? Everyone on the receiving line? Only one player? What if the ball never gets to that player? I don't understand the need for rule #3. I don't recall too many injuries resulting from onsides kicks.

 

[Moontan]

It's not really dependent on the height... I believe it simply applies to single-bounce onside kicks that have become the norm over the past few years.

I've updated my original post with some more details.

 

[mantonio]

Here's how to fix the onsides rule:

Penalize the receiving team for calling a fair catch on the onside kick. If the player calls for a fair catch & gains possession, the ball will be spotted on the receiving team's 20 yard line, & the clock will automatically stop after every down for that drive. Right now, you are giving the receiving team an automatic pass to sit on their lead at the end of a game with this rule change.

 

[upperdeck]

so the fair catch on kicks rule is bit clearer. only applies to kicks hit directly into the ground and up.. most kicks are more the 2-3 bounce type that then turn into a high bounce. sounds like a learning curve for the players