A kickoff and a running back can appear in the same play, but they are not the same kind of thing. One is a way to put the ball in play; the other is a player position. The mix-up often comes from kickoff returns, where a running back may catch the ball and try to advance it.
The basic difference
A kickoff is a special-teams play that starts each half and restarts play after most scoring plays. One team kicks the ball downfield, and the other team tries to catch or recover it and return it. A kickoff is an event in the game, not a position a player holds.
A running back, often called a halfback or tailback, is an offensive player. The running back lines up in the backfield and commonly carries the ball on a handoff, catches passes, or blocks to protect the quarterback. The position is part of the offense’s regular plays from scrimmage.
| Feature | Kickoff | Running back |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A special-teams play that puts the ball in play | An offensive player position |
| When it happens | At the start of each half and after most scores | During offensive plays from scrimmage |
| Typical job | The kicking team launches the ball; the receiving team handles and may return it | Run, catch passes, and block for the offense |
| How the play ends | With a return, a touchback, or another dead-ball ruling | When the runner is down, goes out of bounds, scores, or the play ends another way |
How a kickoff works
On a kickoff, the kicking team sends the ball from its designated kicking spot toward the receiving team. The receiving team can catch it and attempt a return, or the play can end without a return—for example, if the ball becomes dead in the end zone under the rules in force. The exact placement and touchback rules can differ between the NFL, college football, and other levels, so the result of a kick is not always identical across competitions.
The kicking team’s players sprint downfield to limit the return. They try to stay in their lanes, avoid blocks, and bring down the returner before he gains much ground. The receiving team’s blockers work to open a path, while the returner reads the coverage and chooses whether to bring the ball out.
Kickoffs are a special-teams situation, but they involve more than the kicker. A team may use a specialist whose main job is kicking, along with coverage players trained to tackle in space. On the other side, a coach typically assigns one or more players to return kicks. Those returners may be running backs, wide receivers, or other players with the speed, vision, and ball security to handle the job.
What a running back does
A running back’s main role is to help the offense move the ball. On a common running play, the quarterback hands the ball to the back, who follows blocks and looks for a crease in the defense. A back might also take a pitch, line up beside or behind the quarterback, or catch a pass out of the backfield.
Running backs have important jobs even when they do not touch the ball. They may stay in to block a blitzing defender or run a route to draw coverage away from a teammate. A dependable back needs more than speed: vision, balance, patience, ball security, and the ability to read blocks all matter.
These plays usually happen after the offense has taken possession and the ball has been set for a down. The team has a series of downs to gain the required yardage. That is different from a kickoff, which is a free kick used to begin or restart play rather than a standard offensive down.
Where the two overlap: the kickoff return
A running back can be the player who returns a kickoff. In that moment, however, he is doing a kick returner’s job, not carrying out a typical running-back play. He catches the kick, secures the ball, and tries to advance it through the coverage team. His team’s return blockers help create a lane, much as offensive linemen and other blockers create space on a run.
The skills transfer naturally. A running back may already be comfortable handling the ball in traffic, changing direction, and spotting openings. But kick returns bring different challenges: the runner begins farther from the line of scrimmage, has to judge the flight and bounce of a kicked ball, and faces defenders running at him from downfield. Some running backs return kicks; others do not, because coaches may prefer to use a specialist or reduce the risk of injury to a key offensive player.
For example, if a team scores a touchdown, the opponent usually receives the ensuing kickoff. If a running back catches it and runs 25 yards, that is a kickoff return. On the next offensive possession, if he takes a handoff from the quarterback, that is a running play by the running back. The same athlete can be involved in both, but the plays and responsibilities are different.
Why the distinction matters
Keeping the terms separate makes it easier to follow a game. “The team is kicking off” describes how play is restarting. “The running back took the handoff” describes an offensive action. “The running back returned the kickoff” combines the two ideas: a player at the running-back position is serving as the returner on a special-teams play.
It also helps explain why a team’s lineup changes from one phase to another. A running back may be on the field for an offensive series but not for kickoff coverage. When receiving a kick, he might be selected as a returner, or he might stay on the sideline while a teammate handles that assignment.
Related Articles
- What Is a Running Back in American Football?
- Interception vs. Running Back: Key Football Differences
- What Is a Kickoff in American Football? Rules Explained
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a kickoff a position in football?
No. A kickoff is a special-teams play used to start a half or restart the game after most scores. The kicker performs the kick, while other players cover or return it.
Can a running back return a kickoff?
Yes. A running back can be assigned as a kickoff returner. The role on that play is to catch or recover the kick and attempt a return, rather than run a conventional offensive play.
Is a kickoff return the same as a running play?
No. Both can involve a player running with the ball, but a kickoff return begins with a kicked ball and happens on special teams. A standard running play begins from scrimmage, usually with a handoff or pitch from the quarterback.
Does every kickoff have to be returned?
No. Depending on where the ball lands and the rules for that competition, the receiving team may take a touchback or the play may end for another reason. A returner does not have to run the ball out on every kick.
Final Thoughts
A kickoff is a type of play; a running back is a player position. They meet when a running back is chosen to return a kick, but that assignment is distinct from his usual offensive work. Once you separate the special-teams play from the player’s position, the terminology is straightforward: the kickoff starts or restarts play, while the running back helps the offense gain yards.
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.