Mechanics
New kickoff mechanics designed to catch illegal blocks
Four officials will be on the receivers’ goal line and watch for blocking on returns.
You may have noticed four NFL officials manning the receiver’s goal line on free kicks this preseason. The line judge and down judge stay on their sidelines at the pylon. The referee is now joined by the umpire at the goal line in the field of play.
This “four across” alignment is to help catch illegal blocks during a kickoff return. Officials were missing holding, and other illegal blocking and safety fouls that can’t be seen from sideline officials. Getting four pairs of eyes on the blocking action, on paper, should allow the officials to catch violations.
When a team declares an onside kick, it is highly likely that there will be more officials concentrated on the free kick lines, since an onside kick needs as many eyes as possible on those teams 10-yards apart.
We shall see how this new mechanic helps the officials keep the play boxed in while catching illegal actions.
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