Chargers wide receiver Derius Davis was one of eight players who made a punt return for a touchdown last season. Due to the low amount of punt and kickoff returns for a touchdown among other reasons, the NFL created a new kickoff rule for the 2024 season.
Teams will now kick from their 35-yard line with 10 members of the kicking team on the 40-yard line of the receiving team. At least nine members of the receiving team can stand between their own 30 and 35-yard lines.
The play begins when the ball lands or is caught between the 20 and the goal line of the receiving team or is caught in the endzone. The area between the 20-yard line and the goal line is called “the landing zone,” balls that land in “the landing zone” must be returned.
After a touchback, teams start at their own 20-yard line. If the ball reaches the endzone in the air, the receiving team can return it or take possession at their 30-yard line.
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A receiving team can also start at their 40-yard line if the ball gets kicked out of bounds or fails to reach the 20-yard line of the receiving team.
Davis, whose 385 punt return yards placed him second in the NFL in that category, embraces the new kickoff return rules.
“Honestly, I love it. As a returner you should love it because you get more opportunity,” Davis said. “It’s definitely different because everything happens much faster.”
Special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken had the specialists watch the Hall of Fame game between the Chicago Bears and the Houston Texans to see the new rules in action.
“With the new rules, it feels like it’s just like playing running back, just being there, finding the gaps, finding the seams,” Davis said.
The rule change should make punt returns more dynamic. Chargers players practiced punt returns during their training camp session on Friday.
“We’re feeling good in terms of the techniques, laying that foundation, continue with the fundamentals, the timing of everything,” Ficken said. “Keeping it simple so then we can go out and execute at the highest level and allow their athleticism to go and take over.”
Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker mentioned how special teams have not dedicated extra practice time to the new rules. Dicker is not considering changing his kicking techniques, but has tried some out for fun.
“I’m trying to mishit, almost hitting it off the ankle for fun and seeing what happens but then you’ll have the occasional one where they’re really low,” Dicker said. “So trying to figure out how to avoid that,”
The Chargers start their preseason when they host the Seattle Seahawks on August 10 at 4:05P.M.
