Yes, you can drop kick a kickoff in football under many rule sets, including the NFL’s. The kicker drops the ball and kicks it as it touches the ground, rather than kicking it from a tee or before it lands.
That makes a drop kick different from the place kick used on nearly every modern kickoff. The option is legal, but it is rarely practical: the ball is harder to control, and a poor kick can give the receiving team a strong field position.
Here’s how the kick works, how its rules compare across football levels, and what happens after the ball is kicked. You’ll also learn why it is so unusual and which details to check before trying it in a game.
Can you drop kick a kickoff in football?
Yes, a drop kick can be used for a kickoff under major American football rule sets. A drop kick is made by releasing the ball from the hands and kicking it as it touches the ground. That is different from a place kick, where the ball rests on a tee or the ground before the kicker strikes it.
In the NFL, a kickoff may be a place kick or a drop kick. College and high school rules also allow drop kicks for free kicks, which include kickoffs, though the details of the rules and enforcement can vary. A drop kick is therefore a legal option, not a special play reserved only for a field goal or an extra-point attempt.
The practical answer is less exciting: kickers almost always use a place kick. A tee holds the ball steady and makes it easier to strike cleanly. With a drop kick, the kicker has to control the ball’s release and time the contact precisely, even as teammates line up and the opposing team prepares to return the kick.
How a kickoff drop kick works
To make a legal drop kick, the kicker holds the ball, lets it fall, and kicks it as it contacts the ground. The kicker does not place the ball on a tee first, and does not punt it while it is still in the air. The ball’s contact with the ground is what distinguishes the technique.
The kicker still has to follow the rules for the free kick. The ball must be kicked from the required spot, teammates must observe their alignment and timing restrictions, and the kick must meet the rules for a kickoff. A drop kick does not create a separate set of kickoff privileges.
- Set up at the required location. The ball starts at the spot specified for the kickoff. The team must follow the applicable rules on the kicker’s position and the other players’ formation.
- Control the drop. The kicker releases the ball downward, usually with the point angled to help it rebound into a kickable position. The ball must touch the ground before the kicking foot strikes it.
- Strike the ball cleanly. The kicker aims to send it downfield while keeping the kick high or deep enough to make a return difficult.
- Follow the kick’s outcome. The ball remains live under the free-kick rules. The receiving team may catch or recover it, and the next ruling depends on where it lands and who touches it.
The technique can be difficult because a football is not a round ball. Its pointed shape can make the bounce unpredictable, and a slight difference in the drop can change the angle or distance. That matters on a kickoff, where the kicker is trying to send the ball a long way under pressure.
Drop kick, place kick, or punt: what is the difference?
These terms describe different ways to strike the ball. They are not interchangeable, even if all three involve kicking a football. On a kickoff, the distinction matters because the kick must be made using a method permitted for that free kick.
| Kick type | How the ball is kicked | Typical use | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Place kick | The ball is stationary on a tee or on the ground when struck. | Most kickoffs, field goals, and extra-point attempts. | A stable setup and repeatable contact. |
| Drop kick | The kicker drops the ball and strikes it as it touches the ground. | A legal but uncommon option for a kickoff; also permitted for certain other kicks. | A kicker who can manage the drop and bounce reliably. |
| Punt | The kicker drops the ball and kicks it before it reaches the ground. | Usually a scrimmage kick on fourth down. | Changing field position during a scrimmage down, not substituting for a normal kickoff. |
A useful way to remember the difference is to look at the ball at the instant of contact. A ball resting on a tee is being place-kicked. A ball being kicked as it reaches the ground is being drop-kicked. A ball kicked before it reaches the ground is being punted.
How NFL, college, and high school rules compare
The basic idea is consistent: a drop kick is a recognized way to kick the ball, and free kicks can include kickoffs. But football is governed by different rulebooks at different levels. The exact wording, required setup, and consequences of a penalty are not necessarily identical.
| Level | Can a kickoff be drop-kicked? | Practical detail | Best rulebook to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL | Yes. | The kickoff formation and location rules still apply. The drop kick does not exempt the kicker or teammates from those rules. | Current NFL playing rules. |
| College | Yes, under the free-kick rules. | Kickoff procedures and penalties follow the college rulebook, which can differ from NFL procedures. | Current NCAA football rules. |
| High school | Generally yes, under the free-kick rules. | State associations may adopt or modify rules, so local competition rules matter. | Current state high school association rules. |
For a casual explanation, the main point is that a drop kick is allowed in each of these settings as a method of kicking a free kick. For a coach, player, official, or fan resolving a specific play, use the rulebook for that competition. A rule that is familiar from the NFL might not answer a college or state high school question.
Rules also change. Kickoff formations and touchback procedures have received particular attention in recent years. Those changes affect where players line up and what happens after the kick, but they do not automatically make every unusual kick illegal. Check the current rulebook rather than relying on a remembered version of an older kickoff rule.
What happens after a drop-kick kickoff?
Once the ball is kicked, it is handled under the rules for a free kick. The receiving team may catch it, recover it, or let it land, with the result depending on the ball’s location and the actions of both teams. A drop kick does not guarantee a different type of possession or a special score.
If the receiving team catches the kick and returns it, the play continues like a kickoff return. If the kick goes out of bounds or does not travel the required distance, the officials apply the relevant free-kick rules. The specific remedy can depend on the league and on exactly what happened, so avoid assuming every bad kickoff produces the same result.
A kickoff should not be confused with a free kick after a fair catch. A fair-catch free kick is a separate situation that may allow a team to attempt a field goal without a normal scrimmage play. A regular kickoff is not a field-goal attempt just because the kicker sends the ball toward the uprights. A successful field goal cannot be scored directly from an ordinary kickoff.
A kickoff can still lead to a touchdown through a return. For example, the receiving team can return the ball for a score. In some circumstances, a live ball can also be recovered and advanced by the kicking team after the receiving team has touched it. The exact result depends on the play and the applicable rules, not on whether the kickoff started as a place kick or a drop kick.
Why teams almost never use a drop kick on kickoffs
Legal does not mean useful in every situation. A modern kickoff is usually designed to produce a controlled, deep kick, while a drop kick adds a difficult handling step. The ball can slip, tilt, or rebound away from the kicker’s preferred contact point. Even a small error can shorten the kick or send it off line.
A place kick offers a predictable starting position. The tee supports the ball, and the kicker can focus on the approach and strike. That consistency is valuable because the kickoff happens in a high-pressure moment and may give the opponent a short field if the kick is weak or mishandled.
Drop kicks are also uncommon because kickers and special-teams units train around the standard kickoff technique. Players practice the same alignment, timing, and ball flight repeatedly. Choosing a different method could be worthwhile as a surprise, but surprise alone is not enough if the kick is less reliable.
There is also a common misconception that a drop kick must bounce high or follow a particular pattern to count. The important distinction is the contact sequence: the ball must touch the ground before the kicker strikes it. A particular bounce height or trajectory is not what defines the kick.
Could a drop kick be a smart surprise play?
It could be considered if a team has a specific tactical reason and a kicker who can execute it. For example, a team might want a different ball flight or might use the technique in a planned situation. But a coach has to weigh the surprise against the risk of a short, errant, or mishandled kick.
That calculation should include more than the kicker’s ability to make contact. The team should consider whether the receiving team can catch and return the ball cleanly, how the kickoff formation affects coverage, and what happens if the kick travels out of bounds or falls short. A play that looks clever on a practice field may be a poor choice if it gives up favorable field position.
Practical tip: If you are watching a game, focus on the ball at the moment of the kick, not just on how it travels afterward. A ball that hits the ground before the kicker strikes it is a drop kick; a ball kicked from a tee is a place kick. This helps identify the technique even when the kickoff looks unusual.
Common questions about drop-kick kickoffs
Is a drop-kick kickoff legal in the NFL?
Yes. NFL rules allow a kickoff to be made as a drop kick. The kicker still has to comply with the current kickoff rules, including the required location and formation requirements.
Can a drop kick score a touchdown?
The drop kick itself does not automatically score. A touchdown may result if a team legally gains possession and advances the ball into the end zone under the applicable rules. A regular kickoff sent through the uprights is not a field goal.
Is a drop kick the same as a punt?
No. On a drop kick, the kicker strikes the ball as it touches the ground. On a punt, the kicker strikes it before it reaches the ground. They have different definitions and typical uses.
Can a kicker use a drop kick for a field goal?
Yes, a drop kick can be used for a field-goal attempt when the rules allow that type of kick. That is separate from using a drop kick on a kickoff. A kickoff is a free kick, not a normal field-goal attempt.
Why do kickers use a tee instead?
A tee holds the ball still and helps the kicker make consistent contact. A drop kick depends on a controlled release and a good bounce, which is harder to reproduce. Since a kickoff can affect field position immediately, teams generally prefer the more predictable setup.
Do rules differ between leagues?
Yes. NFL, NCAA, and high school football use different rulebooks, and local associations can have additional details. The basic drop-kick concept is widely recognized, but check the rules for the specific competition when a precise ruling matters.
Yes, can you drop kick a kickoff in football? In many major American football rule sets, a drop kick is a legal kickoff option. The kicker must strike the ball as it touches the ground, and all ordinary kickoff rules still apply.
Place kicks remain the standard because they are easier to control. If you need a ruling for a particular game, check that competition’s current rulebook and local regulations before relying on a general explanation.