A kickoff specialist (KOS) is a seldom-used position in American and Canadian football. Kickoff specialists are members of the special teams. They are responsible to kick the ball in the kickoff. These players tend to have a strong leg, often capable of making touchbacks, and capable of keeping a ball in the bounds of the field of play but do not have the accuracy or technique required to be a full-time placekicker or punter. Some kickoff specialists later become full-time placekickers, while some are marginal placekickers who are soon out of football.
Due to modern roster restrictions, most NFL teams do not elect to have a kickoff specialist, and instead use their placekickers (or, less often, punters) on kickoffs. The most recent NFL kickoff specialist was John Potter, who was kickoff specialist for the Buffalo Bills for the first six weeks of 2012 until kickoff duties were given to placekicker Rian Lindell. Other players who have spent at least some time as kickoff specialist for an NFL team since 2006 include Billy Cundiff, Steven Hauschka, Rhys Lloyd, David Buehler, and Todd Carter. Thomas Morstead handles kickoffs in addition to his normal punting duties, but does not do the traditional placekicker duties of kicking field goals and extra points. In high school football and most other professional leagues, one kicker handles all three kicking positions. Even college football teams usually do not utilize kickoff specialists, despite the much larger rosters at that level.
Positions in American football and Canadian football |
Offense |
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Defense |
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Special teams |
Linemen |
Guard, Tackle, Center |
Linemen |
Tackle, End, Nose tackle |
Kicking players |
Placekicker, Punter, Kickoff specialist |
Quarterback |
Linebackers |
Snapping |
Long snapper, Holder |
Backs |
Halfback (Tailback), Fullback, H-back |
Backs |
Cornerback, Safety, Halfback |
Returning |
Punt returner, Kick returner |
Receivers |
Wide receiver, Tight end, Slotback |
Nickelback, Dimeback |
Tackling |
Gunner |
Formations — Nomenclature |
Gridiron football concepts
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Codes |
- American
- Canadian (US–Canadian comparison)
- Arena
- Indoor
- 9-man
- 8-man
- 6-man
- Flag
- Touch
- Street/Backyard
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Levels of play |
- High school
- College
- Sprint
- Women's
- Professional
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Field |
- End zone
- Goal line
- Red zone
- Line of scrimmage
- Neutral zone
- Field goal range
- Out of bounds
- Sidelines
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Equipment |
- Football (ball)
- Helmet
- Shoulder pads
- Uniform number
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Positions |
Offense |
- Quarterback
- Running backs (Halfback, Fullback, H-back)
- Receivers (Wide receiver, Tight end, Slotback)
- Linemen (Center, Guard, Tackle)
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Defense |
- Linemen (Defensive tackle, Defensive end, Nose tackle)
- Linebacker
- Defensive back (Cornerback, Safety, Nickelback, Dimeback, Halfback)
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Special teams |
- Placekicker
- Punter
- Kickoff specialist
- Long snapper
- Holder
- Punt returner
- Kickoff returner
- Return specialist
- Gunner
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Other |
- Utility player
- Triple-threat man
- Skill position
- Game manager
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Play types |
Offense |
- Rush
- Pass
- Incomplete pass
- Lateral
- Bootleg play
- Draw play
- End-around
- Flea flicker
- Flexbone formation
- Fourth down conversion
- Hail Mary pass
- Halfback option play
- Hook and lateral
- Kneel
- Motion
- Hurry-up offense
- Option run
- Option offense
- Play-action pass
- Quarterback keeper
- Quarterback sneak
- Quick kick
- Reverse
- Scramble
- Screen pass
- Spike
- Statue of Liberty
- Sweep
- Tackle-eligible
- Trick play
- Wildcat formation
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Defense |
- Tackle
- Blitz
- Rush
- Sack
- Shooting the gap
- Stunt
- Zone blitz
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Special teams |
- Kickoff
- Kickoff return
- Punt
- Punt return
- Drop kick
- Fair catch
- Fair catch kick
- Icing the kicker
- Onside kick
- Squib kick
- Conversion
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Scoring |
- Touchdown
- Point after touchdown
- Two-point conversion
- Field goal
- Safety
- Single (rouge)
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Penalties |
- Blocking below the waist
- Block in the back
- Chop block
- Clipping
- Delay of game
- Encroachment
- Equipment violations
- Face mask
- False start
- Helmet-to-helmet collision
- Horse-collar tackle
- Illegal contact
- Illegal formation
- Illegal forward kick
- Illegal forward pass
- Illegal hands to the face
- Illegal motion
- Illegal participation
- Illegal shift
- Illegal substitution
- Illegal touching
- Illegal touching of a free kick
- Illegal use of hands
- Ineligible receiver downfield
- Intentional grounding
- Holding
- Leaping
- Neutral zone infraction
- Offside
- Palpably unfair act
- Pass interference
- Personal foul
- Roughing the kicker
- Roughing the passer
- Roughing the snapper
- Sideline infraction
- Spearing
- Time count
- Tripping
- Unsportsmanlike conduct
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Turnovers |
- Fumble
- Interception
- Muffed punt
- Turnover on downs
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Downs |
- First down
- Three-and-out
- Fourth down conversion
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Play clock |
- Timeout
- One-minute warning
- Two-minute warning
- Three-minute warning
- Running out the clock
- Untimed play
- Garbage time
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Statistics |
- Carry
- Rushing yards
- Passing yards
- Passer rating
- Reception
- Receiving yards
- Return yards
- Total offense
- Yards from scrimmage
- All-purpose yardage
- Touchdown pass
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Celebrations |
- Touchdown celebration
- Gatorade shower
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Officiating |
- Officials
- Penalty flag
- Chain crew
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Miscellaneous |
- Snap
- Dead ball
- Touchback
- Instant replay
- Coffin corner
- Resting the starters
- Glossary of American football
- Glossary of Canadian football
- Rules
- Rules in American football
- California playoff
- Concussions in American football
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