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The biggest 2024 NFL rules changes pertain to kickoffs.
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A hybrid kickoff model has been adopted, inspired by the results seen in the XFL.
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Hip-drop tackles, challenges, offensive fouls on possession changes, and reviewable play rules have also been adjusted for 2024.
The NFL may be home to a whole bunch of the most valuable sports teams in the world, but they’re all beholden to the rules of the league, which are updated regularly.
Predominantly, in more modern times, to factor in player health and safety concerns, this upcoming season will see a bunch more NFL rule changes come into play.
So that you’re not too thrown off when you watch an NFL game this season – particularly when kickoffs take place – here’s a breakdown of the 2024 NFL rule changes.
New NFL Kickoff Rules
In a change that could rapidly change a team’s online betting outlook if they’ve brought in a slippery speedster stud for kick returns, NFL kickoffs have new rules.
Inspired by the XFL, the 2024 NFL kickoff rules now allow teams to adopt a hybrid model that should create more scoring from returns.
The core of the rule is that the ten players on the kicking team will line up on the opponent’s 40-yard line. On the returning side, nine blockers can sit between the 30 and 35-yard line, and two returners can start inside 20 yards.
On top of this, the telegraphed scrum between the returning side’s 40 and 30-yard line can’t move until the ball is touched by a returner or hits the ground.
A touchback to get the ball at the 30-yard line will take place if the ball goes to the end zone in the air and the returning team opts for it. Or, it goes straight out of the back through the air.
A kick going out of bounds also results in a touchback. There may also be a 20-yard touchback. This occurs when the ball hits the ground or returner before entering the end zone, and the returning team doesn’t pick it up.
NFL rule changes like this offer a two-fold boost to the game. Firstly, setting the tackles much closer should reduce injury. Secondly, as seen in the XFL, more kickoffs should be returned for points.
New NFL Onside Kick Rules
Like the new NFL kickoff rules, the onside kick has seen a bit of an adjustment. Importantly, the kicking team needs to indicate in advance that they’ll be doing an onside kick.
Onside kicks can also only be called in the fourth quarter by teams that are trailing on the scoreboard.
New Offensive Foul Rules on Possession Changes
When an offensive team changes possession through a fumble or an interception, it’s usually the case that defensive fouls are prioritised along with working out possession.
Now, the 2024 NFL rule changes dictate that major fouls will be given to offensive players if fouls are committed when both teams have committed fouls on a possession-changing play.
This could have quite big implications in the NFL betting as offensive teams particularly prone to interceptions, for example, could also suffer major fouls on the turnover – enhancing the disadvantage further.
New NFL Hip-Drop Tackle Rules
Hip-drop tackles aren’t permitted in the NFL anymore. The NFL rule change comes by way of a unanimous decision between NFL teams.
You can see a hip-drop tackle occur when the tackling player wraps up the ball carrier with both hands and then swivels their hips to unweight themselves, landing on the opponent’s legs as a result.
Given that the penalty for a hip-drop is now 15 yards and an automatic first-down, even the youngest head coaches in the NFL will need to drill into their defensive co-ordinators that hip-drops can’t be done anymore.
New NFL Challenge Rule
It used to be that coaches would only get a third replay challenge if they won it through two successful challenges thrown down earlier in the game.
In 2024, the NFL rule changes mean that coaches only need to have one successful challenge earlier in the game to earn a third replay challenge.
New NFL Reviewable Plays Rule
Via replay, officials can now review an additional two types of plays, which are whether a passer was down or out of bounds before a pass is thrown, and if the play clock has expired before the snap.
*Credit for the photo belongs to Alamy*
