Playbooks
Landingzone Kickoff Middle Old is a standard kickoff play from the Kickoff formation that sends the kicker's boot to the middle of the field toward the landing zone. There is no route concept or blocking scheme to read since this is a special teams kickoff, not an offensive or defensive snap. The primary read for the return unit is tracking the hang time and depth of the kick to decide between fielding it for a return or letting it drop for a touchback based on landing zone rules.
Watch the returner's starting depth pre-snap to gauge whether they are set up for a middle return or shading toward a sideline lane. Track your coverage unit's leverage angles as the ball lands, since a clean middle kick with even coverage spacing shuts down cutback lanes. If the return team stacks blockers in the middle of the field pre-snap, expect a designed middle return and adjust coverage lane angles accordingly. Post-snap, key the returner's first two steps after the catch to determine if they are breaking to a sideline wedge or trying to split the coverage unit up the gut. Beware of return units that use a wall blocking scheme up the middle, since this kick type can get walled off if your coverage lanes are too narrow.
Use this kickoff when you want to force the return team to make a decision inside the landing zone rather than conceding an automatic touchback.
Kick to the middle of the field to avoid giving the returner a clean lane to either sideline, which limits big return opportunities against speed-based return teams.
Pair this with Landingzone Kickoff Left and Landingzone Kickoff Right in your kickoff rotation so opposing return teams cannot predict landing spot tendencies.
On lead changes late in the half, favor this middle kick to minimize return yardage risk while still applying landing zone pressure.
If you are protecting a lead, alternate this play with Landingzone Heavy Kickoff Middle New to vary hang time and coverage lane angles without changing your target area.