The kickoff is the play that puts the ball in motion at the start of a football game, but it also returns after most scores. Knowing when it happens helps make sense of the game’s rhythm—and explains why a team that just celebrated a touchdown may soon be lining up to kick the ball away.
When a kickoff is used
In American football, a kickoff is used at the start of the game, at the start of the second half, and after most scoring plays. It gives the receiving team a chance to catch or recover the kicked ball and begin its offensive possession.
- To begin the game: After the coin toss, the team that chooses to kick sends the ball to its opponent.
- To begin the second half: The teams resume play with a kickoff. The coin toss helps determine which team receives the opening kick and which gets the ball to start the second half.
- After a touchdown and try: The team that scored kicks to its opponent after the extra-point or two-point attempt.
- After a successful field goal: The scoring team kicks the ball away.
For example, if the home team scores a touchdown, it first attempts its extra point or two-point conversion. Once that play is over, the home team kicks off and the visiting team tries to start a drive. The kickoff is the restart after the scoring sequence, not part of the touchdown play itself.
What happens after a safety?
A safety is the main scoring-related exception. After a safety, the team that gave up the points puts the ball back into play with a safety kick. The team that scored the safety then receives it.
A safety kick serves a similar purpose to a kickoff, but the terminology and rules differ. Depending on the league, the team may punt, drop-kick, or place-kick the ball. It is commonly taken from the team’s own 20-yard line in the NFL and college football, rather than from the usual kickoff spot. Check the specific competition’s rules for details.
How a kickoff works
The kicking team places the ball on a tee at a designated spot, then kicks it toward the receiving team. In the NFL, a standard kickoff is taken from the kicking team’s 35-yard line. Other leagues set their own spots and procedures.
The receiving team can catch the ball and run it back, or let it become dead under the rules. If a returner brings it out, teammates block for them while the kicking team tries to make the tackle. The return ends when the runner is tackled, steps out of bounds, or is otherwise ruled down. The offense then takes over at the spot where the play ended.
Not every kick becomes a return. The ball may go into the end zone, go out of bounds, or be handled in another way that ends the play. Touchback rules affect where the receiving team starts, and those rules can vary by league and change over time.
Why teams sometimes try an onside kick
An onside kick is a kickoff designed to give the kicking team a chance to recover the ball itself. Rather than sending a deep kick toward a returner, the kicker sends the ball a short distance and the kicking team tries to regain possession after it travels the required distance.
Teams often consider an onside kick late in a close game when they need the ball back and have little time left. It is a gamble: the receiving team is usually well placed to secure the kick, and the kicking team must follow specific rules about when it can touch the ball. It is still a kickoff, but its aim is different from a conventional kick sent downfield.
Kickoff, punt, and safety kick: the difference
These kicks can look similar from the stands, but they happen in different situations.
| Play | When it is used | Main purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Kickoff | At the start of a half and after most scores | Give the other team the ball to begin a possession |
| Punt | Usually on fourth down when a team chooses not to try for a first down | Send the ball downfield to improve field position |
| Safety kick | After a team gives up a safety | Put the ball back into play after the safety |
A punt is a decision made during a team’s possession, often to avoid turning the ball over on downs in a risky area. A kickoff, by contrast, is a scheduled restart after the game begins or a score is recorded.
Kickoffs and rule differences
The broad occasions for kickoffs are familiar across American football, but the details depend on the competition. NFL and college rules can differ on formation, where players line up, touchbacks, and what happens when the ball goes out of bounds. The NFL’s dynamic kickoff format, introduced in 2024, changed player alignment and return procedures to encourage more returns while managing safety. Other leagues may use different versions of kickoff rules.
Overtime is another important distinction. Some formats begin overtime with a kickoff, while college football starts its overtime possessions near the opponent’s end zone instead. If you are watching a particular league, its overtime rules determine whether a kickoff is involved.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does the team that scores always kick off?
After a touchdown and try, or after a successful field goal, the team that scored generally kicks to its opponent. After a safety, the team that conceded the safety takes the safety kick instead.
Is there a kickoff after an extra point?
Yes. The extra-point kick or two-point attempt happens immediately after a touchdown. Once the try is complete, the scoring team kicks off.
Is a kickoff the same as a punt?
No. A kickoff restarts play at the beginning of a half or after most scores. A punt is usually used on fourth down to send the ball farther downfield and change possession.
Does every overtime period start with a kickoff?
No. Overtime procedures vary. Some competitions use a kickoff, while college overtime begins with teams taking turns on offense from a set field position.
Final Thoughts
Look for a kickoff at the start of the game and second half, and after touchdowns and successful field goals. A safety brings a related but distinct safety kick. Once you know those situations, it is easier to follow who receives the ball, how a drive begins, and why a team might choose a return—or take a chance on an onside kick.
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.
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