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Kickoffs and punts

14 questions new fans ask, answered in plain English. Each answer links the rulebook or league page it comes from.

Why do kickoffs look so different now?

Since 2024 the NFL has used the "dynamic kickoff" (made permanent in 2025). The kicker kicks from his 35, but the other 10 kicking-team players line up at the receiving team's 40. Most receiving players set up between their 30 and 35, and nobody else moves until the ball hits the ground or a player near the goal line.

Source: Dynamic Kickoff Rule Explainer (NFL Football Operations) · Featured Rules: 2025 rule changes (NFL Football Operations) · link to this answer

What is the landing zone?

It's the area from the receiving team's goal line to its 20-yard line. A kickoff that lands there and stays there must be returned.

Source: Dynamic Kickoff Rule Explainer (NFL Football Operations) · link to this answer

What if the kickoff lands short or goes out of bounds?

A kick that lands short of the landing zone is blown dead and treated like a kick out of bounds. The receiving team gets the ball at its own 40-yard line, a big reward.

Source: Dynamic Kickoff Rule Explainer (NFL Football Operations) · link to this answer

Where's the touchback on a kickoff?

At the 35-yard line if the kick reaches the end zone in the air or goes out the back. At the 20 if the kick lands in the landing zone and then rolls into the end zone and is downed.

Source: Dynamic Kickoff Rule Explainer (NFL Football Operations) · Looking at tweak to kickoff, other rules changes for 2025 season (NFL.com) · link to this answer

What changed about kickoff setups in 2026?

The receiving team now needs only five players (down from six) with a foot on its restraining line, and up to four may stand elsewhere in the setup zone (up from three). They can't all stack on one side.

Source: 2026 NFL Rulebook: index, 2026 rule changes and penalty tables (NFL Football Operations) · Trade press (Sports Illustrated): Explaining five new NFL rules for 2026 · Trade press (Football Zebras): NFL owners approve rule changes for 2026 · link to this answer

What's the deal with kickoffs from the 50?

When a penalty on the receiving team moves a kickoff to midfield, the kicking team used to have an incentive to kick out of bounds. Starting in 2026, a touchback on a kickoff from the 50 is placed at the receiving team's 20, which takes away that incentive.

Source: 2026 NFL Rulebook: index, 2026 rule changes and penalty tables (NFL Football Operations) · Trade press (Sports Illustrated): Explaining five new NFL rules for 2026 · 2026 Playing Rules, Bylaw and Resolution Proposals (NFL Football Operations) · link to this answer

When can a team try an onside kick in 2026?

At any time, whether ahead, behind or tied. In 2025 only a trailing team could try one. The kicking team must still declare it beforehand.

Source: NFL announces new playing rules, bylaws, resolutions for 2026 (NFL.com) · 2026 NFL Rulebook: index, 2026 rule changes and penalty tables (NFL Football Operations) · Trade press (Sports Illustrated): Explaining five new NFL rules for 2026 · link to this answer

Can a team surprise the other side with an onside kick?

No. Under the dynamic kickoff, onside kicks must be declared ahead of time, and surprise onsides are still banned in 2026.

Source: Trade press (CBS Sports): NFL rule changes for 2026 · Dynamic Kickoff Rule Explainer (NFL Football Operations) · link to this answer

What if a declared onside kick doesn't work?

If the kick isn't recovered by the kicking team, the receivers take over with good field position. If the ball travels untouched past the setup zone, the kicking team is penalized 15 yards from its restraining line.

Source: 2026 NFL Rulebook: index, 2026 rule changes and penalty tables (NFL Football Operations) · Dynamic Kickoff Rule Explainer (NFL Football Operations) · link to this answer

When do teams punt?

Usually on fourth down when they're too far away to kick a field goal and don't want to risk going for it. The punter drops the ball and kicks it to push the other team back.

Source: Football Terms (NFL Football Operations) · Dummies.com: The punt rules of a football game · link to this answer

What's a fair catch?

The returner waves one arm above his head before catching a punt. He can't run with the ball afterward, but no one may hit him. Interfering with a fair catch is a 15-yard penalty.

Source: 2024 NFL Rulebook (NFL Football Operations) - unchanged basics: field, timing, timeouts · Football Terms (NFL Football Operations) · Dummies.com: The punt rules of a football game · NFL Rules Digest (NFL Football Operations) · link to this answer

Where does the ball go after a punt touchback?

If a punt goes into the end zone (or the returner catches it there and kneels), it's a touchback and the receiving team starts at its 20.

Source: Dummies.com: The punt rules of a football game · link to this answer

What's a muffed punt?

A muff is when the returner touches the ball but fails to catch it. Either team can recover it. If the punting team recovers a muff, it keeps the ball but can't advance it.

Source: Football Terms (NFL Football Operations) · Dummies.com: The punt rules of a football game · link to this answer

Who kicks after a safety?

The team that gave up the safety free-kicks from its own 20-yard line, and the kicker may use a tee.

Source: Dynamic Kickoff Rule Explainer (NFL Football Operations) · NFL Rules Digest (NFL Football Operations) · link to this answer