Kick Off Rules in a Football Game

In football, a kickoff occurs at the beginning of the game, at the beginning of the second half, after a field goal and after a touchdown. A team kicks the ball off from their own 30-yard line and the opposing team attempts to catch the ball and run it back.

Lining Up for the Kick

When lining up for the kick and until the ball is put into play, all players on the kicking team must be behind their own 30-yard line. Players on the receiving team must be behind the kicking team's 40-yard line. Traditionally, the players who are intended to return the kickoff are positioned somewhere between their own 10-yard line and their own end zone.

Returning the Kick

The receiving team attempts to run back the ball after collecting the kickoff. The kick returner attempts to get as far as he can before being ruled down by contact, having his forward progress stopped or going out of bounds. A kick returner may bring the ball back all the way to the opposing team's end zone, resulting in a touchdown. Wherever the returner is ruled down, will be where his team begins its offensive possession. If he collects the ball in his own end zone, a kick returner also has the option of kneeling down in the end zone, which results in a touchback, and the receiving team starts with the ball on their own 20-yard line.

A Kickoff Is a Live Ball

Unlike on a punt, the kicking team is able to recover a kickoff. If the kicking team does not catch the ball cleanly or if the ball doesn't get caught, the kicking team may take possession of the ball. However, if a kickoff goes out of bounds, an illegal procedure penalty is assessed to the kicking team and the receiving team gets the ball on their own 40-yard line.

Onside Kicks

There are times when the kicking team will purposely try to recover the ball to regain possession. This is called an onside kick. The kicker will play the ball short in hopes that the kicking team can get to the ball first. The ball must travel at least 10 yards to the 40-yard line before the kicking team can touch it. If they do, an illegal touching penalty will be called. If the kicking team recovers the kickoff, they are not allowed to advance the ball. The play will be whistled dead at the spot they recover.

Fair Catch

A little known rule is that the receiving team may call a fair catch on a kickoff. More often seen on punts, a fair catch is when the receiving player waves his hand in the air before catching the ball. If he does that, the ball will be blown dead upon catching it. The receiving team will take possession of the ball at the spot of the fair catch.