NFL's revamped kickoff making its debut in the Hall of Fame game

CANTON, Ohio -- The NFL's new kickoff rule will debut when the preseason opens Thursday night, with the Chicago Bears facing the Houston Texans.

While both teams are expected to sit starters, all eyes will be on the overhauled kickoffs during the annual Hall of Fame game at Tom Benson Stadium.

NFL owners approved a radical change to kickoffs to revive a "dead play" that saw record-low returns last season.

For a standard kickoff, the ball is kicked from the 35-yard line, and the 10-kick coverage players are lined up at the opposing 40, five on each side of the field.

The return team will have at least nine blockers lined up in the "set-up zone" between the 30-and 35-yard lines, with at least seven of those players touching the 35. Up to two returners will be allowed inside the 20.

Only the kicker and two returners are allowed to move until the ball hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside the 20.

Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air can be returned, or the receiving team can opt for a touchback and possession at the 30. Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air and goes out of bounds or out of the end zone also will result in a touchback at the 30.

If a ball hits a returner or the ground before the end zone and goes into the end zone, a touchback will be at the 20, or the ball could be returned.

If a kick goes out of bounds before the end zone, hits the ground, or is touched by the receiving team before reaching the landing zone, the return team gets the ball at the 40.

Owners agreed to a one-year trial of the new system that was heavily influenced by the kickoffs used in the XFL spring league.

Only 21.8% of all kickoffs were returned last season as both kicking and receiving teams too often chose to avoid the risk of a possible return.

The NFL estimates that more than half of all kickoffs will be returned this season. The goal is to increase the number of returns without making it more dangerous.

The Texans vs. Bears game will air live on Thursday at 7 p.m. CT on ABC13.