A football broadcast can show two kicks within a few minutes, yet only one may be a kickoff. The difference comes down to how the play begins: a snap starts a play from scrimmage, while a kickoff is a free kick that sends the ball to the opposing team to begin or restart a period of play.
The main difference
A snap is the action that puts the ball in play on a normal offensive down. The center moves the ball backward—usually between his legs—to the quarterback or another player. The offense then tries to advance the ball, protect the passer, or score.
A kickoff is a kick made from a stationary ball, usually from a tee. One team kicks it to the other after the opening coin toss, at the start of the second half, and after a touchdown or field goal. The receiving team can catch the ball and return it, or take a touchback under the applicable rules.
| Feature | Snap | Kickoff |
|---|---|---|
| How the ball starts | The center snaps it backward to a teammate | A player kicks a stationary ball |
| Typical purpose | Begins a scrimmage play on a down | Starts a half or gives the other team the ball after a score |
| Teams involved | The offense snaps; the defense tries to stop the play | One team kicks; the other receives |
| What usually follows | A pass, handoff, run, punt, or field-goal attempt | A return, a touchback, or another ruling on the kick |
What happens on a snap?
Before the snap, the ball rests on the line of scrimmage, the imaginary line running across the field where the previous play ended. The offense lines up on one side and the defense on the other. Once the center snaps the ball, the down is live and the players can carry out the play.
The snap does not have to go to the quarterback. In a direct snap, the center sends it straight to a running back or another player. A snap can also be mishandled: if the quarterback cannot control it, the ball may hit the ground and become a fumble, giving either team a chance to recover it.
Every standard play from scrimmage begins with a snap. That includes a run, a forward pass, a punt, and a field-goal attempt. So although a punt or field goal involves a kick, it is not a kickoff: the play begins with a snap, and the kicking team is trying to punt or score on that possession.
What happens on a kickoff?
On a kickoff, the kicking team sends the ball downfield and the receiving team tries to secure it. A returner may run the ball back, hoping to give the offense a better starting position. If the ball is not returned—for example, because the returner takes a touchback—the receiving team gets the ball at a spot determined by the rules in use.
Kickoffs are designed around field position and coverage. The kicker may aim for distance, height, or a particular part of the field. Meanwhile, the coverage players sprint downfield to limit the return, and the receiving team blocks to open a path. The exact formations and touchback rules can differ between the NFL, college football, and other levels; the NFL’s kickoff setup has also changed in recent seasons.
There is an important exception to the usual “kick it to the other team” description: a kickoff can be an onside kick. The kicking team sends the ball a short distance and tries to recover it, generally when it needs another possession late in a game. It is a high-risk gamble, not the normal kickoff plan.
How the two plays fit into a game
Picture a team scoring a touchdown. The other team kicks off, and the returner brings the ball to the 25-yard line. The receiving team’s offense then takes the field. On first down, the center snaps the ball to the quarterback, who hands it to a running back. The kickoff started the possession; the snap started that offensive play.
That distinction also explains why a kickoff is not one of the offense’s downs. The receiving team does not begin with first-and-10 while the ball is in flight. Its possession begins after the kickoff ends and the ball is ready for play. The offense then runs a series of downs, each beginning with a snap, until it scores, turns the ball over, or has to punt or attempt a field goal.
Why the terminology matters
Knowing the difference makes game situations easier to follow. If a team scores, watch for the kickoff that follows. If the broadcast says “the ball is snapped,” expect the offense to run a play. And if you hear about a snap before a punt or field-goal attempt, that is normal: the snap is the start of the scrimmage play, while the kick is what the play is trying to accomplish.
It also helps when discussing possession. A kickoff is a way to restart play and offer the receiving team a chance to return the ball. A snap is part of an existing offensive possession and begins one down in that team’s series.
Related Articles
- When Is the Snap Used in American Football?
- What Is a Kickoff in American Football? Rules Explained
- Interception vs. Kickoff in American Football: Key Differences
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every football play start with a snap?
Every standard play from scrimmage starts with a snap, including runs, passes, punts, and field-goal attempts. Kickoffs and other free kicks are exceptions because the ball is put in play by a kick rather than a snap.
Is a punt the same as a kickoff?
No. A punt happens during a team’s possession and normally follows a snap; the punter kicks the ball downfield to change possession. A kickoff is a free kick used to start a half or restart play after a score.
Can the kicking team recover a kickoff?
Yes. An onside kick is an attempt by the kicking team to recover the ball itself. There are specific rules about when and how the ball can be recovered, and the details vary by level of play.
Does the receiving team always have to return a kickoff?
No. Depending on how the kick lands and the rules in that competition, the play may result in a touchback, allowing the receiving team to begin its possession without running the ball back.
Final Thoughts
A snap is the center’s backward delivery that starts a play from scrimmage; a kickoff is a free kick that starts a half or restarts play after a score. Remembering “snap for the down, kickoff for the restart” is a simple way to keep the two straight—and to understand why a punt or field goal can involve a kick without being a kickoff.
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.