ENRUES
Glossary

Onside kick

Terms

What it is

An onside kick is a short, surprise kick that the kicking team tries to recover itself, instead of kicking deep. If it works, the team keeps the ball and gets another chance to score.

In a game

The kicker hits the ball so it bounces just beyond the ten yards it has to travel before the kicking team may touch it. Both teams dive for it. It is a long shot, so teams normally try it when they are behind late in the game and need the ball back.

More detail

Because the receiving team knows it may be coming, onside kicks are recovered only a small fraction of the time. The rules about when a team can try one and how it must announce it have been changing. Recent changes loosened the timing, so check the current rulebook before assuming when it is allowed.

Animated play

101020203030404050504040303020201010END ZONEEND ZONEXXXXX10 yards: the ball must go this farRecovered by the kicking team!The kicker lines up and the whole team stays close by.He taps the ball low and short. It bounces along the ground.Both teams dive for it. Here the kicking team wins the scramble.

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

  1. A team that has just scored, and badly needs the ball back, can try an onside kick instead of kicking deep.
  2. The kicker pops the ball a short distance along the ground. It has to travel at least 10 yards before the kicking team may touch it.
  3. Both teams rush to the ball. If the kicking team falls on it, it keeps possession.
  4. It is a risky play. The receiving team is waiting for it and usually wins the ball, so teams try it mostly when they are behind late in the game. The rules on when it may be tried have been changing, so check the current rulebook.