Kickoff returner

The Kick Returner (KR ) is a player of special teams in a American football team.

Task and process

The kick returner is responsible to catch the ball and as far as possible to carry back a kickoff of the opposing team ( engl. to return - bring back - carry ). Alternatively, it may show a so-called fair catch, then he can catch the ball unmolested, but also not be tackled. The Returner elects the fair catch if the Verteiger to get close to him and thus when catching the ball the risk of fumbles is too large.

The offense begins its attack on the spot where the fair catch took place or could the Returner back carry the ball at the point to the. Starts the returner the ball in the own end zone and does not carry it back, but goes on his knees or there makes a fair catch, so there is a touchback and the offense starts at their own 20 -yard line.

A kick returner is usually a very fast player. This role is so often assumed by a wide receiver, defensive back or running back. Usually take reserve player positions on special teams. A kick returner can also act as punt returner.

Records

The longest kickoff return in the history of the National Football League ( NFL) succeeded Cordarrelle Patterson, a wide receiver of the Minnesota Vikings, on 27 October 2013. He ran for 109 yards on a kickoff return touchdown. The longest kickoff return in the play- offs of the NFL managed to start the second half of the Super Bowl XLVII Returner of the Baltimore Ravens, Jacoby Jones, who ran to the kickoff return touchdown about 108 yards. The highest value for yards per return Gale Sayers reached. In his career, in 1977, recorded in the Pro Football Hall of Fame running back erlief average of 30.56 yards per return.