The Extra Point How the New Dynamic Kickoff Performed in the 2024 Preseason
7 days ago
After much anticipation, the NFL’s new Dynamic Kickoff debuted this preseason. Fans have experienced fresh strategy and excitement with the play’s designated landing zone, updated player alignment, and plays that begin only after the ball is caught or hits the ground.
Last spring, our analytics team analyzed XFL data to predict outcomes. After watching 49 games and 420 new kickoffs this preseason, here’s what we discovered:
Finally, here’s a strategic tip: kicking teams should aim to place the ball at the back of the landing zone.
Using data on where the ball lands, here’s a chart showing the resulting field position by kickoff land location.
Kicks landing in the back of the landing zone — between the 1- and 5-yard lines — resulted in an average drive start from the 27.4-yard line. Kicks to the middle of the landing zone — between the 6- and 10-yard lines — led to an average drive start around the 30-yard line. Therefore, kicking deeper into the landing zone was, on average, a few yards better for the kicking team this past preseason.