DLNews Sport:

That will make the fans happy.

 A new era is upon us in the NFL!

The owners of the 32 teams have decided on a rule revolution. From now on, there will no longer be a classic kickoff. There is the so-called “hybrid kickoff” for this.

Per source, owners just approved the NFL Hybrid Kickoff rule, kicking off a new era.

After years of tweaks, one of the game’s most exciting moments turned into a “dead, ceremonial play,” the league hopes this overhaul will yield the desired results: fewer injuries and more returns.

What does that mean?

The kicker now kicks the ball from his own 35-yard line. After that, he cannot cross midfield until the ball is in play. The ball is considered in play when the returner catches it when it hits the ground in the “catch zone” or when it rolls into the end zone.

The defense lines up. The other 10 players on the kicking team line up at the 40-yard line in the opponent's half. Each player must have at least one foot on the 40-yard line before play can begin. Also, the kicking team must have five players on each side of the ball, so they cannot concentrate on one side.

The formation of the receiver team is a little different.

Most of the receiving team will be on the 35-yard line, and the team will then have five yards of air. Seven players on the receiving team must have one foot on the 35-yard line. The “catching” team may have two additional players in the lineup zone but not touching the 35-yard line.

The receiving team can field two return players, while the “catching” team may use one or two returners to catch the football.

However, if it chooses to have only one returner, the additional player must line up in the deployment zone between the 30 and 35-yard lines.

Why the change?

In recent years, kickoffs have become boring for fans. Teams rarely decide to catch the ball and run, and the egg often rolls out of bounds and is whistled. The new format was therefore tested in the XFL (lower league, ed.).

That should change with the rule revolution.

Further details have yet to be discovered. According to initial reports, the rule will initially be tested in the coming season. If the owners like it, it will be added to the rule book forever.