Butker Already Broke the New Kick Off

Summary

In the wake of new kickoff rules, NFL kickers are adapting with various strategies to gain an advantage. While most opt for deep kicks to influence return direction, some, like Jake Bates, attempt unconventional squib kicks. Kansas City's Harrison Butker surprises with a soccer-style kick, low and with a tricky side spin, forcing the returner to make a business decision to avoid it. This innovative approach places the ball advantageously on the 20, sparking excitement for the evolution of kickoff styles.

Takeaways

• 🏈 The new kickoff rule has prompted kickers to adapt their techniques to benefit the kicking team.
• 🎥 The script author has been reviewing game footage to analyze kicker adaptations to the new rules.
• 🤔 Most kickers are opting for regular kicks, aiming to influence the direction of the return to assist their coverage unit.
• 🕒 Some kickers are focusing on hang time, despite it not being a significant factor, possibly to give the coverage team more reaction time.
• 👎 Jake Bates attempted a squib kick that didn't work out, as it ended up skipping through the end zone.
• 🔄 The majority of kickers are experimenting with variations of deep kicks, which is becoming monotonous to observe.
• 👏 Harrison Butker from Kansas City tried a unique kick that initially appeared as if the returner missed it.
• 🌀 Butker's kick had a low trajectory and a nasty side spin, making it difficult for the returner to handle.
• 🏟️ The returner decided not to touch Butker's kick, a strategic choice that started the Jaguars on the 20-yard line.
• ⚽️ The unique spin on Butker's kick is likened to a soccer player's shot, suggesting that kickers might explore soccer-style kicks for inspiration.
• 🚁 The script mentions a 'helicopter kick' as an interesting but not consistently successful attempt in kickoffs.
• 👀 The author expresses excitement for the potential variety of new kicking styles that may emerge in the future.

Q & A

What was the main focus of the new kickoff rule adaptation by kickers?

The main focus was to make the kickoff more advantageous for the kicking team, influencing the return setup and helping their coverage unit be in a beneficial position.

What did most kickers do to adapt to the new kickoff rule?

Most kickers hit the ball regularly, trying to play it to one side or another to influence the return direction.

Why did some kickers focus on hang time?

They focused on hang time to give their coverage team a better chance to react, despite the fact that hang time itself does not inherently matter.

What was the unconventional kick attempt by Jake Bates?

Jake Bates attempted a squib kick, which ended up skipping through the end zone due to being executed 11 yards too early.

How did the returner react to the unconventional squib kick by Jake Bates?

The returner did not touch the ball, as it was not executed perfectly and was unpredictable in its trajectory.

What was unique about Harrison Butker's kickoff attempt?

Harrison Butker's kickoff started straight down the middle before sliding to the right hash of the returner, with a low trajectory and a nasty side spin that made it difficult to handle.

Why did the returner decide not to touch Harrison Butker's kickoff?

The returner made a business decision not to touch the ball due to its low trajectory and the difficulty in handling the strong side spin.

What correlation does the script suggest between Harrison Butker's kickoff and soccer player's shot on goal?

The script suggests a strong correlation in terms of generating a weird spin on the ball, similar to how a soccer player might take a shot on goal.

What does the script imply about the future of kickoff adaptations by kickers?

The script implies that kickers may start exploring old soccer style kicks to generate new ideas for kickoffs, as seen with Harrison Butker's attempt.

What was the outcome of the kickoff mentioned in the script?

The kickoff resulted in the Jaguars starting on the 20 due to the returner's inability to handle the ball.

What was the final action taken by the returner after the kickoff?

The returner took a knee in the end zone after not being able to handle the kickoff.