A kickoff is a familiar way to start or restart a football game. An onside kick uses that same kind of kick—but with a very different aim. Instead of sending the ball deep to set up a return, the kicking team tries to recover it and keep possession.
That distinction matters most when a team is running out of time. Here’s how the two kicks work, what players are trying to do, and why an onside kick is a calculated gamble rather than just a shorter kickoff.
What is a kickoff?
A kickoff is a free kick that begins each half and follows a touchdown or field goal. The kicking team sends the ball downfield, and the receiving team tries to catch it and advance it. If the kick goes into the end zone, the receiving team may take a touchback instead of returning it, depending on the league’s rules and what happens to the ball.
On a routine kickoff, the kicking team usually wants to make the return difficult and leave the opponent with poor starting field position. Kickers may drive the ball deep, aim for a particular part of the field, or deliberately kick it short to challenge the return team’s coverage and decision-making.
The exact setup and touchback rules differ between the NFL, college football, and other levels. The NFL’s dynamic kickoff format, for example, places players in designated positions and changes how returns are set up. But the basic purpose remains the same: the kicking team gives the opponent the ball, and the receiving team starts its possession by returning or taking the kick according to the rules.
What is an onside kick?
An onside kick is a kickoff designed to give the kicking team a chance to recover the ball itself. Rather than driving it deep, the kicker sends a low, short kick toward the receiving team. The ball must travel at least 10 yards before the kicking team can legally touch it, unless a player on the receiving team touches it first. The kicking team can then try to recover the loose ball.
If the kicking team secures possession, it gets another offensive opportunity without waiting for the other team to finish a drive. If the receiving team recovers, it takes possession as it normally would after a kickoff.
Onside kicks are often attempted late in a game by a team that has just scored and needs the ball back quickly. For example, if a team trails by one score with little time left, a successful recovery could give its offense one more chance to tie or take the lead. It’s a high-risk play: the receiving team usually starts in a favorable position if it recovers the ball.
Kickoff vs. onside kick: the main differences
| Feature | Routine kickoff | Onside kick |
|---|---|---|
| Main goal | Limit the return and influence the opponent’s starting field position | Recover the ball and retain possession |
| Typical distance | Usually sent deep, though short kicks are also possible | Kicked short and low toward the receiving team |
| Who expects to get the ball? | The receiving team | The receiving team is expected to recover, but the kicking team is trying to take it |
| Risk for the kicking team | Generally lower; the kick is mainly about coverage and field position | Higher; a failed attempt can give the opponent a strong starting position |
An onside kick is still a kickoff. “Onside” describes the kicking team’s attempt to recover the ball, not a separate way to restart play.
How the play works
On a conventional kickoff, coverage players run downfield while the return team sets up to catch the ball and open a lane. In the NFL’s current kickoff format, players’ starting positions and movement are regulated, so the details of coverage differ from older kickoff formations. At other levels, the arrangement can differ too.
On an onside kick, the kicker tries to make the ball difficult to handle. It might bounce unpredictably or travel just far enough to reach the minimum distance. The kicking team’s players close in as soon as the rules allow, hoping to get to the ball before the return team can control it. Meanwhile, the receiving team’s front-line players try to secure the ball, often by falling on it rather than attempting a risky return.
The 10-yard requirement is important: a kicking-team player cannot simply touch the ball right away to claim it. If the ball goes out of bounds before it is legally touched or recovered, a penalty or possession ruling may apply; the exact outcome depends on the rules governing that game.
Why teams don’t try it more often
Surprise is a big part of an onside kick’s appeal, but the receiving team is allowed to prepare for it. In the NFL, a team must declare its intention to attempt an onside kick, and current rules allow the attempt at any point in the game. Other competitions can have different requirements, so the rulebook for that league matters.
Even with a good kick, the odds are usually against the kicking team. The receiving team knows what is coming, can put reliable ball handlers near the expected landing area, and may have a numerical advantage where the ball arrives. A failed attempt can hand it the ball in good field position. That’s why coaches tend to save the play for situations where getting another possession is worth the risk.
Teams can also use a short kickoff without attempting an onside kick. A short kick may be aimed to make the return team field the ball in an awkward spot or force a decision. The difference is intent: a routine short kickoff is generally about managing the return, while an onside kick is a deliberate attempt to recover possession.
Related Articles
- What Is an Onside Kick in American Football? Rules and Strategy
- Why Is the Onside Kick Important in American Football?
- Interception vs. Onside Kick: Key Differences in American Football
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the kicking team recover a regular kickoff?
Yes, but it cannot touch the ball before it has traveled 10 yards unless the receiving team touches it first. If the kicking team legally recovers it, possession can change hands.
Does an onside kick have to travel exactly 10 yards?
No. It must travel at least 10 yards before the kicking team touches it, unless a receiving-team player touches it first. The kicker can send it farther, but the goal is usually to make the ball difficult to control.
Can a team try an onside kick before the fourth quarter?
In the NFL, teams can attempt one at any point, but they must declare their intent. Rules differ in other leagues, so don’t assume the NFL rule applies to college or high school games.
Is an onside kick the same as a short kickoff?
Not necessarily. Both kicks may travel a short distance, but an onside kick is specifically intended to let the kicking team recover the ball. A short kickoff may instead be used to shape the return or challenge the receiving team’s positioning.
Final Thoughts
The simplest way to tell them apart is to look at what the kicking team wants. A routine kickoff aims to start the opponent’s possession on difficult terms; an onside kick tries to prevent that possession from starting at all. It’s a bold attempt to reclaim the ball, and the risk is exactly why its success can change the feel of a close game.
Aiden Cross is a sports writer and editor at BeliveSports, covering a broad range of sports with a focus on clear, accurate, and practical information. His work covers rules, techniques, player roles, competitions, equipment, statistics, and the details that help readers better understand how different sports are played. Aiden takes a research-driven approach to sports writing, using reliable sources and established sporting information to provide context rather than simply repeating surface-level facts. His goal is to make complex topics accessible while maintaining the accuracy and depth expected by knowledgeable sports fans. At BeliveSports, Aiden contributes to the site’s editorial standards by focusing on accuracy, clarity, useful context, and reader-first explanations.