Every year since 1990, EA has released a new edition of Madden, the NFL‘s only official football simulation video game. It will be no different in 2024, with Madden NFL 25 dropping in August.
In addition to many new features, the game will give fans a look at the NFL’s new kickoff rules that were approved earlier this offseason. What will it look like?
EA Provides First Look at NFL’s New Kickoff Rule in Madden NFL 25
In the lead-up to the game’s official release, EA has been releasing information about the game in pieces. On Tuesday, they revealed what kickoffs will look like.
The NFL posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, an in-game look and explanation of the new kickoff.
Everything you need to know about the new Dynamic Kickoff. 🔥 @EAMaddenNFL
For more information about the rule, visit: https://t.co/oGMxCOfoEr pic.twitter.com/HMnwLpT54v
— NFL (@NFL) July 30, 2024
What Is the Dynamic Kickoff?
The dynamic kickoff is a one-year rule change that could become permanent. Two things will stay the same: the ball will be kicked from the 35-yard line, and safety kicks will be from the 20-yard line.
In terms of alignment, though, a lot is different. Here’s a run-down of the new alignment:
- All kicking team players, except the kicker, will line up with one foot on the receiving team’s 40-yard line. The kicker can’t cross the 50-yard line, and kicking team players can’t move until the ball touches the ground or a player in the landing zone or end zone.
- The receiving team will line up with at least nine players in a 5-yard Setup Zone from the 35 to the 30-yard line. At least seven players must have a foot on the 35-yard line, following alignment rules (outside numbers, numbers to hashes, and inside hashes). Players not on the 35-yard line must be outside the hash marks in the Setup Zone. None of these players can move until the kick hits the ground or is touched in the landing zone or end zone.
- Two returners may line up in the landing zone and are allowed to move at any time before or during the kick.
The landing zone is also different, with its own set of rules:
- The landing zone is the area between the goal line and the 20-yard line of the receiving team.
- If a kick falls short of the landing zone, it’s spotted at the 40-yard line, similar to a kickoff out of bounds.
- All kicks in the landing zone must be returned, with any kick hitting in the landing zone and going into the end zone either being returned or downed by the receiving team. If downed, it is a touchback to the 20-yard line.
- If a kick hits in the end zone and stays inbounds, it is either returned or downed to a touchback to the 30-yard line.
- Any kick going out of the back of the end zone is a touchback to the 30-yard line.
Finally, there are also a handful of miscellaneous changes that come with the new kickoff rules.
- Fair catches and signals are no longer allowed.
- Onside kicks are only allowed in the fourth quarter and must be declared by the trailing team.
Why Did the NFL Change the Kickoff Rules?
According to the NFL’s website, the rule was changed to address kickoff return rates and injury rates. “To address the lowest kickoff return rate in NFL history during the 2023 season and an unacceptable injury rate on kickoffs prior to that, NFL clubs have approved a new kickoff rule for the 2024 season.”
The idea of the new kick is to resemble a typical scrimmage play in terms of alignment, restricting movement to reduce space and speed. Additionally, it was done to promote more returns.
According to AP News, just 21.8% of all kicks were returned in 2023, a drop from 37.5% in 2022 and 80% in 2010. The NFL estimates that, under the new rule, more than half of all kickoffs will be returned, and injuries on kickoffs will drop significantly.
When Does Madden NFL 25 Come Out?
EA began releasing player ratings on July 29 and will continue doing so up until Aug. 3, with the game officially releasing on Friday, Aug. 16. Those who preordered the game will have access starting Tuesday, Aug. 13.