What is the average kickoff starting field position? (1 Viewer)

[pizzatyme]

It makes me crazy to see teams (especially my Colts) run the damn ball out of the endzone on a kickoff. I have no stats, but I'd be willing to bet the Colts starting field position is short of the 20 YL. It has to be similar for other teams.

Too many penalties, too many injuries. Too little reward!

Discuss.

 

[encaitar]

It depends on the returner. When Percy Harvin was healthy, I wanted him to run it out every time. He always got past the 20 and broke it for 40+ yards often enough that it was always exciting. Plus, there was a very real chance he was scoring. Now that he's out, I'm hoping for the Vikings to take a knee every time they catch it in the endzone.

 

[flc735]

i disagree. whats the risk? you start at the 15, 18 instead of the 20?

and the reward? i think a 5% chance at a TD or a 20% chance of a long return is well worth the risk that you will start 5 yards farther back.

as a pretend special teams coach, i would be more aggressive with this than normal and even more so when i was behind and/or had a great returner.

ps: if anyone has a stat that shows scoring from teams that start on the 15 and then the 20 ect... that would be very interesting.

 

[Widbil83]

Why do they run it out of the EZ if their name isn't Hester?

Oh how I yearn for the good old days where Lovie actually let Hester return kicks. Now instead he just runs around all game dropping passes.

 

[Sarnoff]

The average is the 22 yard line. So it's better to run it out. HTH.

 

[doyler]

Education:

http://harvardsportsanalysis.wordpress.com/2012/10/31/to-kneel-or-not-to-kneel-an-analysis-of-touchbacks/

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

i disagree. whats the risk? you start at the 15, 18 instead of the 20?and the reward? i think a 5% chance at a TD or a 20% chance of a long return is well worth the risk that you will start 5 yards farther back.as a pretend special teams coach, i would be more aggressive with this than normal and even more so when i was behind and/or had a great returner.ps: if anyone has a stat that shows scoring from teams that start on the 15 and then the 20 ect... that would be very interesting.

Ignoring risk of fumble/penalty (fairly high chance of his on KO returns too)?

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

The average is the 22 yard line. So it's better to run it out. HTH.

2 yds for the risk of penalty/injury/fumble? I`d take the touchback nearly every time, at least when deeper than a yard or two.

 

[Ignoratio Elenchi]

The average is the 22 yard line. So it's better to run it out. HTH.

2 yds for the risk of penalty/injury/fumble? I`d take the touchback nearly every time, at least when deeper than a yard or two.

I assume the average already factors in penalty yardage. Fumbles are rare, and are a concern on every play you run with the ball. So are injuries. Should QB's just take a knee on every offensive play to avoid the possibility of a fumble or an injury occurring?