NEW RULES
Joe Buck asks ESPN viewers ‘you got all that?’ as he scrambles to explain new NFL kickoff rule in 40s on live TV
The NFL made two major rule changes for the 2024 season
THE NFL is undergoing some massive rule changes for the 2024 season.
The NFL preseason kicked off on Thursday with the Hall of Fame Game, and fans got their first look at the new kickoff rule.
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The new kickoff rule brings comprehensive changes to how teams change possession after scoring, but it can be confusing.
With the game being broadcast on ESPN, broadcaster Joe Buck broke down the new rules for fans.
"There's also a lot of excitement with the change in the kickoff rule which is entirely different than anything any of us have seen in the NFL," Buck said.
"Teams kick off from the 35, the 10 players from the kicking team start at the opponent's 40.
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"At least nine players must be in the setup zone between the 30 and the 35.
"Play begins when the ball is touched or hits the ground in the end zone or the landing zone, the area between the goal line and the 20-yard line.
"Touchbacks that land in the end zone are brought out to the 30, touchbacks that roll into the end zone from the landing zone are brought out to the 20.
"You got all that?
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"We're gonna hang on for dear life here tonight but man is it gonna be fun to watch this unfold."
NFL fans had split opinions about the new rule, and shared their thoughts on the change on social media.
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"The breakdown is that SPORTS ARE GETTING SOFTTTTT," one fan said.
"TBH, I like it," another fan said.
"Why do they need to add a landing zone? Sounds pointless," a third fan said.
"This is ridiculous!!" a fourth fan said.
"Good change," a fifth fan said.
NFL important dates
August 1 - Hall of Fame Game - Houston Texans vs Chicago Bears
August 8 - Pre-season begins
August 27 - Deadline for 53-man rosters
September 1 - Final day of pre-season
September 5 - Season opener - Baltimore Ravens vs Kansas City Chiefs
November 5 - Trade deadline
January 5 - Week 18 of regular-season
January 11 - Playoffs begin
February 9 - Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana
The NFL made one other major rule change for the 2024 season, which was banning the hip-drop tackle.
One strategy defenders used to employ to bring runners down was to drop their hip and use their weight to get them down.
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This tackle resulted in an above average rate of injuries, causing the NFL to ban it.
The rest of the rule book has remained primarily unchanged for the 2024 season.
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