The NFL Banned The Kickoff Wedge In 2009. By 2018 Even Two Blockers Side By Side Was A Foul.

For years a kickoff return team formed a wedge: three or four blockers shoulder to shoulder, moving together in front of the returner to clear a path through the first wave of tacklers.

2009: three or more

NFL.com reported that owners voted in March 2009 to outlaw any wedge involving three or more players on kickoff returns. The competition committee determined that too many players were being injured, either colliding with the wedge or being part of it. A flag would not be thrown if only two blockers were within two yards of each other.

2018: any two

Sports Illustrated reported that the league had moved to allowing only two-man wedges in 2009 and outlawed them altogether in 2018.

The rule today

A wedge block is not permitted by any players at any time.

• 01A wedge block is two or more players intentionally aligned shoulder to shoulder within two yards of each other who move forward together
• 02The foul occurs at that point; contact with an opponent is not necessary
• 03Penalty: loss of 15 yards