NFL Competition Committee Proposes New Rules to Fix Kickoffs, Address Hip-Drop Tackles

The league would borrow the kickoff idea from the XFL.

The NFL’s competition committee proposed two major rule changes on Wednesday that would significantly alter certain plays during games.

One rule proposal would adjust kickoffs in a major way, while another rule would attempt to address the league’s concern with hip-drop tackles.

First, the competition committee suggested a new kickoff alignment that resembles what the XFL used in 2020 and 2023. On each kickoff, the kicker would boot the ball from the 35-yard line, while the rest of the kicking team would be at the receiving team’s 40-yard line. 

The return team would have at least nine players in between the 30- and 35-yard line, which is called the “set-up zone,” with up to two returners between the end zone and 20-yard line, or the “landing zone.” No one on either team besides the kicker or returner would be allowed to move until the ball is caught or hits the ground.

The first ever XFL kickoff return for a TD.

B E A U T I F U L pic.twitter.com/zqdHTlxMaL

— United Football League (@TheUFL) February 23, 2020

On touchbacks, the ball would be placed at the 35-yard line, up from the 25-yard line under the current rule, and returners would not be allowed to call for a fair catch. Additionally, teams that want to try onside kicks would need to notify officials before the play to allow for a traditional formation, making surprise onside kicks illegal.

As for the NFL hip-drop tackle proposal, the competition committee suggested a 15-yard penalty for those plays. The league believes it can properly police hip-drop tackles out of the game, since those tackles can cause lower-body injuries, but current and former players question whether it is a smart idea.

The underlying issue with hip-drop tackling is it's the outgrowth of coaches teaching Seahawk tackling—which is rugby-style, designed to take the head out of hits. The NFL recognized this, and used rugby to define the hip-drop.

This video in particular: https://t.co/4suQswKS9o https://t.co/G3prjQAC4c

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 20, 2024

The league will vote on these proposals, along with three others from the competition committee and four proposals from teams, at the annual league meeting next week.