After An NFL Safety, The Team That Gave Up 2 Points Also Has To Kick From Its Own 20
A safety takes away the ball as well as the points. The team scored upon kicks from its own 20, and it is the one free kick that can be punted.
Rule 11, Section 5, Article 2 of the 2026 NFL rulebook says that after a safety, the team scored upon must put the ball in play by a free kick (punt, drop kick, or place kick) from its 20-yard line, and a tee may be used.
Fifteen yards deeper than a kickoff
Rule 6, Section 1, Article 2 sets the kicker's restraining line at the kicking team's 35-yard line for a kickoff and its 20-yard line for a safety kick, unless a distance penalty moves it.
The only free kick you can punt
Rule 6, Section 1, Article 1 allows only a drop kick or place kick for a kickoff. For a safety kick, a drop kick, place kick, or punt may be used.
A team can also declare an onside kick on a safety kick. Rule 6, Section 1, Article 6 puts the kicking team's restraining line for that onside kick at its own 20.
Quick answers
- Who kicks after a safety in the NFL?
- The team that gave up the safety. It must free kick to the other team.
- Where is the ball kicked from after a safety?
- From the kicking team's own 20-yard line, unless a penalty moves it.
- Can you punt a safety kick?
- Yes. A safety kick can be a punt, a drop kick, or a place kick. A kickoff cannot be punted.
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