What it is

A kick return is when the receiving team catches a kickoff or punt and runs it back toward the other team’s goal. A good return gives the offense a short field to work with.

In a game

On a kickoff the returner catches the ball deep and runs behind a wall of blockers. His teammates block the kicking team’s players so there are running lanes. Some returners are so fast that they can score a touchdown on the return.

More detail

Special teams coaches choose returners who are fast and have secure hands, since a fumble on a return gives the ball to the kicking team. A return that breaks past the first wave of tacklers can go a long way, and the most dangerous returners force kicking teams to kick the ball out of the end zone or away from them.

Animated play

Blue circles are the team with the ball. X marks the other team. The yellow oval is the ball.

1. The kick travels deep, and the receiving team’s returner catches it.
2. His teammates run ahead and block the coverage players trying to tackle him.
3. A good returner reads the blocks, cuts toward the open space and uses his speed. If he breaks free he can run all the way for a touchdown.
4. The play ends when he is tackled, runs out of bounds or scores.