An NFL Kickoff Out Of Bounds Gives The Ball At The 40. A Punt Out Of Bounds Is Just Spotted.
A kickoff out of bounds is a foul. A punt out of bounds is not. The rulebook explains why the two kicks end so differently.
Rule 6, Section 2, Article 4 of the 2026 NFL rulebook says the kicking team may not kick a free kick out of bounds, be the last to touch it before it goes out between the goal lines, or kick it so that it first touches the ground or a player short of the landing zone. The landing zone runs from the receiving team's 20-yard line to its goal line.
The kickoff penalty
For a free kick out of bounds, the receiving team may take the ball 25 yards from the spot of the kick, or 30 yards on a safety kick, or at the out-of-bounds spot. On a kickoff from the kicking team's 35, 25 yards puts the ball at the receiving team's 40. Approved Ruling 6.1 applies the same result to a kickoff that lands short of the landing zone: the receiving team's ball, first-and-10 at its 40.
The punt
Rule 9, Section 4, Article 4 covers scrimmage kicks such as punts. If one goes out of bounds between the goal lines, it is the receivers' ball at the dead-ball spot. There is no foul and no penalty yardage.
Quick answers
- What happens when an NFL kickoff goes out of bounds?
- It is a foul. The receiving team can take the ball 25 yards from the spot of the kick, usually its own 40, or at the out-of-bounds spot.
- Is a punt out of bounds a penalty?
- No. The receiving team gets the ball where the punt went out of bounds.
- What if a kickoff lands short of the 20?
- It is treated like a kickoff out of bounds, so the receiving team can start at its 40.
Sources
If you think anything on this page is wrong, we want to know.
One football fact a day.
Sourced, short, and nothing to do with predictions.
Keep going
VS.Offensive Holding Is 10 Yards In The NFL. Defensive Holding Is 5 And A First Down.
VS.Running Into An NFL Kicker Is 5 Yards. Roughing Him Is 15 And A First Down.
VS.A Muff Is Not A Fumble. The NFL Draws The Line At Possession.
VS.