The Las Vegas Raiders had actually come up with a new variation for their kickoff. The NFL referee’s association banned the Raiders’ tactic after all.

Munich – The Las Vegas Raiders will have to kick off like all other teams in the future. Kicker Daniel Carlson will have to do without the extra Holder again – although the NFL had initially given the O.K..

After the Raiders’ game against the Los Angeles Rams, however, the league finally revised the permission for the kickoff trick and informed all teams that the ball is only to be placed in the tee and not on it. An additional holder is still allowed, however, should the ball repeatedly fall out of the device due to wind, for example.

NFL clarifies rule for all teams

Instead of placing the ball in the kickoff tee, Carlson had his holder place the ball on the tee.

Thus, Carlson got under the ball better on the kick and bought him more time in the air. According to league rules, this was in compliance and was also initially communicated to the Raiders.

“A couple of weeks ago, a rule was clarified that you can now hold the ball at the top of the tee. […] If it gives us an advantage, we’re going to try to take advantage of that,” Head Coach Mike McDaniels previously stated.

Now, however, the NFL has clearly spelled out the rule for all teams.