Can you return an onside kick

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Before the kicker approaches the ball and until the ball is kicked,. All kicking team players must be inbounds and behind the ball when it is kicked, except:. The complete NFL rule book entry on kickoffs can be found here. In an effort to give teams better chances of retaining possession after a score as opposed to the dying onside kick, the Broncos in the spring of proposed a rule change that would give scoring teams the option of using one fourth-and play from their own yard line per game.

A conversion would allow the team to maintain possession. Denver's proposal in was not adopted, but in , a new, similar proposal was made by the Eagles.

This one would see a scoring team's offense attempt to convert a fourth-and play from its own yard line in lieu of trying an onside kick. If the offense were to convert, it would keep the ball. If not, the defending team would take over at the dead ball spot.

A perfect comparison for the historical onside play would be a fourth-and scrimmage play. Teams converting on fourth-and to fourth-and typically end up eight yards past the line to gain when they convert.

A penalty would include: too many men on the field , offsides , or illegal formation. On top of the previously mentioned times an onside kick is unable to be recovered, kicks are made more difficult to recover due to some new rules that were recently introduced. Kicking teams may not: have a running start to recover the ball, have more or less than five players on each side of the kicker , and block the receiving team within 15 yards of the kick. Where Is Football Most Popular?

As you mention, too often there is a penalty and the offense is backed up inside the The blocking seldom is very good. Your logic makes the most sense, and will never be adopted: take the touchback, get the ball at the 20 and save wear and tear on the blockers. I would argue against that if the Colts occasionally got a or yard return.

Facebook Twitter Email. Why were the Colts allowed to return the onside kick, is Tom Moore more involved and what about Tyjuan Hagler.