Coach's Confidential: Eliminating kickoffs a good idea?

Even with a re-formatted kicking structure in the NFL, commissioner Roger Goodell didn't rule out further changes to kickoffs as a means of increasing player safety. It hasn't been ruled out entirely that the league would do away with kickoffs at some point in the future. With that in mind, here's this week's Coach's Confidential.

The idea of eliminating the kickoff has been floated in the past as a means of lowering high-impact collisions, and a couple college conferences have toyed with the idea of eliminating it this year. How would you feel if kickoffs were no longer a part of high-school football?

Coach 1: I would be fine with it. I try to pretend like we’re looking back at these conversations from 50 years in the future. How foolish will it look if someday the sport of football doesn’t exist and part of the reason is because we were unwilling to bend on safety measures and rules modifications that made the game more acceptable to a mass audience? In the short term, it would be an adjustment, but in the long run if it’s good for the sport, I would be OK with it.

Coach 2:  I could take it or leave it.  It would change the game from a field position standpoint.  Good kickers do change the game.

Coach 3: If it helps increase football participation, I’m in favor of it. However, I also think that kickoffs can be great game and emotion changers and sustainers.

Coach 4: This would eliminate scoring opportunities. Also , kickoffs are a great chance to get a few kids on the field without too much pressure. Gets them exposed to the varsity experience.

Coach 5: I think I am in the minority here, but I would be for it.  They would have to figure out onside situations and where to place the ball, etc.

Coach 6: As someone who value both player safety and the role of special teams, this is tough. The health and safety of our players is the number one priority. If the consensus of voters say that eliminating kickoffs does not jeopardize the integrity of the game, then I’d be okay with removing them from the game.