Last week, the National Football League (NFL) took a historic step in making safety-focused changes to its kicking game regulations with the adoption of resolution proposal G-2. This new rule allows teams to actually have their kicking footballs, or K-balls as they’re called, set up before game day. Seven teams, spearheaded by the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders advanced the proposal. It received strong bipartisan support, passing with a unanimous 31-1 vote. The Chicago Bears were the only team to vote against this ground-breaking change.
By rule, teams only have 60 minutes before kickoff to get their three K-balls ready. They can employ many techniques, whether it’s with water, towels, brushes or sticky sponges. In pursuing this change, the goal is to improve the performance of kickers and their overall consistency in making field goals. Vic Fangio, the Philadelphia Eagles’ new defensive coordinator, stressed the importance of this measure. From a conceptual standpoint, this truly embodies a departure from the old way of thinking, where we would prepare on game day, but not beforehand.
Randy Brown, senior special teams coach for the Baltimore Ravens, was the one who dreamed up the special proposal that ultimately resulted in this change to the rule. His pioneering mindset has already started conversations all around the league about their effect on the success rate of field goals with these new adjustments.
Vincent, an NFL-led executive, reiterated that there was out “zero” discussion regarding the resolution. He demonstrated this unequivocally as it came up for a vote. Perhaps more importantly, he saw the need to come together in solidarity as a collective of clubs as key. “When you have a collective group of clubs that said, ‘We think this could be good,’ that makes all the difference in the world,” he stated.
And those new K-ball preparation guidelines seem to be having a real effect. Not surprisingly, we are already seeing better success conversion rates for field goals. 2022 NFL Season Breaks Amazing Record It had the highest rate of made 50-plus yard field goals all-time since record keeping began. Kickers converted 41 of 53 attempts from beyond 50 yards, resulting in an impressive 77.4% success rate over just four weeks.
Fangio cited some recent game situations as examples of what has changed in terms of kickers’ effectiveness. “You know what you guys have missed? Not just you but everybody is, we gave up a 65-yard field goal and a 58-yard field goal,” he remarked. This statement particularly emphasizes the improved precision of kickers making use of the new pristine K-balls.
Even among special teams coaches who are in favor of the rule change, there’s a lot of skepticism about its effect. As one NFL special teams coordinator told us, what’s the real rush in getting these footballs ready ahead of game day? Why are we in such a hurry to get these footballs all sewn up? The GOAT quarterback balls prep all week long! Other coaches are playing it safe. They are distrustful of industry promises that the new rules will result in a net-positive benefit.
One special teams coordinator told me that better condition K-balls have allowed kickers to perform better. “The ball is flying 5 yards further because the balls are broken in well,” they explained. This viewpoint sheds light on a general agreement across all of these coaches that preparation is key to executing successful kicks.
Whatever the motivation, the uniformity in making K-balls has certainly made the weekly routine much easier for kickers all around the NFL. Teams can now keep each K-ball in play for up to three straight games. This adjustment allows them to keep peak performance levels without needing to build up from zero every week. Vincent noted that increased efforts in recent years to protect players and ensure safe playing surfaces have been useful. In fact, these tweaks have almost doubled kicking percentages.
Now, as teams adjust to these new rules, kickers are proving their new skill sets even further. Vincent acknowledged that with specialized training and conditioning, “the kickers are getting stronger. He noted the importance of rule changes to help make the game better. With improved technology and practice conditions, success rates for long-distance field goals are climbing.
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