Colts Special Teams Coordinator Talks New Kickoff Rules

WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — This offseason, the NFL changed its kickoff rules. Gone is the typical kickoff where the entire kicking team stands on the 35-yard line.

From now on, similar kickoff rules apply as in the XFL.

The kicker still stands on the 35-yard line, but the rest of the kicking team stands on the 40-yard line on the other side of the field. Most return teams line up on the 35-yard line, just five yards away from the kicking team.

Returning teams will now likely use two kick returners as well.

With the new kickoff rules, the Colts are trying to get as many people back to the replays as possible.

Their primary kick returner from last season, Isaiah McKenzie, is no longer on the team. Josh Downs also got some reps last year, and the Colts drafted Anthony Gould in the fifth round this year, a punt returner from Oregon State.

As they prepare for the effects of the change, Colts special teams coordinator Brian Mason said there is still a lot of speculation about how it will ultimately play out. They haven’t been able to do any live reps yet because the full pads haven’t been put on yet.

He said the joint training sessions, not the pre-season matches, are the best indicator of how they are coping with the new rules.

As far as preparation goes, they studied a lot of XFL clips, but the NFL rules are slightly different than the XFL.

While the focus is on how the return team will adapt to the new rule, there are also changes to the player pool deployed on the kick team.

“We’re looking for guys who are really good defenders overall, who can tackle well and break blocks quickly,” Mason said.

Mason also said more starters could be added to the starting lineup, with less running and a greater chance of injury.

The Colts return to practice on Sunday from 4:00-5:30 p.m.