The new rule will be tested at Super Bowl after last year’s game in Glendale does not return – Sports Aldete

Last year’s Super Bowl had almost everything.

There were tricks plays, big performances and a lot of excitement when Kansas City returned to win with 25-22 overtime work against San Francisco.

The only thing that was missing was a kick -back.

All 13 kicks went for touches, making him the first superboul ever without returning a kick. This pushed NFL to make a big change in the rule, completely redesigning the rhythm.

Now, the new Kickoff rule, which has led to less injuries and more return, will be seen at the largest stage this Sunday when the superiors face the Philadelphia eagles in the Super Bowl.

“This is something that brought a new life to it,” said Eagles special team coordinator Michael Clay. “It gives us something to train, somehow we return to the drawing board and manifest ourselves creatively with our ideas.”

The new rule called “dynamic kick” was made to reduce injuries by limiting fast, firm clashes and to promote more return after the number of returns dropped to 21.8% last season.

For those who do not know, the new setting looks unusual at the beginning. The kicker stands alone on his 35 yard line, while the 10 players of the coverage are arranged on the 40-yard line of the enemy team. The return team is arranged with at least nine blockers between the 30 and 35 yards lines, and seven of these players must be on the 35 yard line. Up to two returns can stand inside the 20 yard line.

Only the kick and two return can move before the ball touches the ground or the returning.

Any kick that enters the end zone in the air can be returned or the host team can absorb and start from the line of 30 yards. A kick that either goes beyond the borders or above the end zone in the air will lead to the return of the line with 30 yards.

According to NFL, this change led to 332 more returns in 2024, with the rate of return jumped to 32.8%. There were also 59 returns of at least 40 yards, the highest from 2016 and seven touchdown returns. The concussion ratio dropped by 43% compared to the last three years and had the least injuries with lower legs at the 2018 impact return.

The return rate reached 45.1% in the post -season, although this may be more due to the cold weather affecting the distance of Rita, which will not be a problem in the Super Bowl in a dome.

During the regular season, both the superiors and the eagles saw about one six of their kicks reaching the area requiring a return, with the superiors being 17.2%and the eagles being 16.5%. Philadelphia’s coefficient increased to 43.5% in playoffs, probably due to weather conditions more than the strategy.

Clay said, “We want to minimize one of the risk that can eventually happen. We just try to remove all the added variables that get into problems. “

The rule is a one -year test and can be changed or removed in this non -season. The coach of Kansas City Special teams Dave Tub usually likes the rule, but suggests that moving the touch to the 35 yard line can lead to even more return.

The eagles and superiors relied on the return of the kick to help them get to the Super Bowl.

The Eagles Coverage team forced two turnover, including a recovery of inconvenience in opening a wild card victory over Green Bay and another in the NFC championship against Washington. Kenneth Gainwell also had a 44 yard return to his divisional circle over Aries.

The bosses set the tone with the opening of 63 yards by Nico Remigion in their first playoff game, putting a result.

Clay said, “The boys like him. They have hugged him and just want to do everything to help this team go as far as possible. “