libterm.com An onside kick is a strategic play in football where the kicking team attempts to regain possession by kicking the ball short and unpredictable rather than deep. This technique requires precise execution and timing to catch the opposing team off guard and create an opportunity for a comeback. Discover how mastering the onside kick can change the momentum of your game by reading the rest of the article.
Table of Comparison
| Feature | Onside Kick | Squib Kick |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Recover possession immediately | Minimize return yardage |
| Kick Type | Short, high bounce | Low, fast roll |
| Risk Level | High risk, high reward | Low risk, conservative |
| Typical Use | Trailing late in game | Early or mid-game strategy |
| Recovery Chance | 10-20% success rate | Less than 5% recovery |
| Impact | Potential possession swing | Limits big returns |
Understanding Onside Kicks: Definition and Purpose
An onside kick is a strategic short kickoff designed to travel the minimum 10 yards while allowing the kicking team a chance to recover possession, often used in desperate or late-game situations. Its purpose is to surprise the receiving team and regain control of the ball immediately after scoring, increasing offensive opportunities. Unlike a squib kick, which aims to prevent a long return by forcing a shorter, safer kick, the onside kick prioritizes ball recovery over field position.
What Is a Squib Kick? Key Features Explained
A squib kick is a short, low-trajectory kickoff designed to prevent a long return by forcing the receiving team to field the ball quickly, often bouncing unpredictably on the ground. Key features include limited hang time and a focus on ball placement in the middle or sidelines of the field, creating a chaotic situation for returners. This contrasts with an onside kick, which aims to travel just the required 10 yards while allowing the kicking team a chance to recover possession.
Situational Use: When to Call an Onside Kick
An onside kick is typically used during critical moments in a game when a team is trailing late and needs to regain possession quickly, usually within the final minutes or just after halftime. This kickoff strategy increases the chance of recovering the ball by kicking it the minimum 10 yards with a high bounce, catching the receiving team off guard. Squib kicks, on the other hand, are preferred for preventing long returns, especially when protecting a lead, as they create a low, rolling ball that limits big yardage gains.
Strategic Reasons for Choosing a Squib Kick
A squib kick is strategically chosen to prevent long returns by forcing the receiving team to field the ball with up-men, typically linebackers or defensive backs, who have less return skill. It reduces the chance of a big play by keeping the kickoff low and short, limiting the return team's momentum and blocking schemes. Coaches often opt for a squib kick late in the game to burn clock time while minimizing the risk of a significant kickoff return.
Risks and Rewards: Onside Kick Outcomes
Onside kicks offer a high-reward opportunity to regain possession quickly but carry significant risks such as giving the opposing team favorable field position if unsuccessful. Squib kicks reduce the chance of a long return and can trap the receiving team deep, yet typically allow the opponent to secure the ball safely, minimizing turnover risk. Successful onside kicks depend on surprise and precise execution, often shifting momentum, while squib kicks prioritize controlling field position and limiting big plays.
Field Position Impact: Onside vs Squib Kick
Onside kicks significantly increase the kicking team's chance to regain possession by traveling just 10 yards and often bouncing unpredictably near the receiving team's front line. Squib kicks, traveling deeper and lower with less hang time, tend to limit long returns but typically concede better field position to the receiving team compared to onside kicks. The strategic choice between onside and squib kicks heavily influences field position dynamics, with onside kicks offering a high-risk, high-reward opportunity to regain the ball versus squib kicks prioritizing minimizing return yardage.
Recovery Rates and Statistical Success
Onside kicks have a recovery rate of approximately 13-20% in the NFL, depending on formation and surprise element, making them a high-risk, high-reward strategy. Squib kicks, designed to limit return yardage rather than recover possession, have near-zero recovery rates but reduce the likelihood of long returns by the receiving team. Statistical success of onside kicks improves significantly with unexpected execution, while squib kicks prioritize field position control over regaining possession.
Key Rules and Recent NFL Changes
The onside kick requires the ball to travel at least 10 yards before the kicking team can recover it, whereas the squib kick is a low, bouncing kickoff designed to limit a long return without the intent to recover. Recent NFL rule changes include prohibiting the kicking team from gaining a running start and mandating a five-yard buffer zone, significantly reducing the success rate of onside kicks. These modifications emphasize player safety while maintaining strategic elements in kickoff recoveries.
Famous Examples: Onside and Squib Kicks in History
The 2013 Super Bowl XLVII featured a famous onside kick by the Baltimore Ravens, which helped shift momentum against the San Francisco 49ers. The 1982 Super Bowl XVII showcased a notable squib kick by the Washington Redskins, designed to minimize a big return from the Miami Dolphins. Both kicks remain iconic examples of strategic special teams plays altering the course of championship games.
Choosing the Right Kick: Coaching Decisions and Game Flow
Choosing the right kick depends on game context, field position, and team strengths; onside kicks offer a high-risk, high-reward opportunity to regain possession immediately but require precise execution and element of surprise. Squib kicks minimize return yards and reduce the risk of big returns by forcing opponents to field a low, bouncing ball, benefiting defenses with strong tackling but sacrificing possession control. Coaches analyze score margin, time remaining, and opponent's return capabilities to balance aggressive recovery attempts versus strategic field position management within the flow of the game.
Onside kick Infographic
