Kickoff specialist

A kickoff specialist (KOS) is a seldom-used position in gridiron football. Kickoff specialists are members of the special teams. They are responsible for kicking 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 only current NFL kickoff specialist is Jordan Gay of the Buffalo Bills. Prior to Gay's being claimed off of waivers, Buffalo's kickoff duties were handled by Billy Cundiff and John Potter. Other players who have spent at least some time as kickoff specialist for an NFL team since 2006 include Steven Hauschka, Rhys Lloyd, David Buehler, and Todd Carter. As of the end of the 2014 NFL season, punters Thomas Morstead, Matt Bosher, Sam Martin, Pat McAfee, and Michael Koenen handle kickoffs.There is at least one example of a backup quarterback serving as a kickoff specialist; in 1965, Bob Timberlake did so for the New York Giants. In high school football and most other professional leagues, such as the Canadian Football League and Arena Football League, one kicker handles all three kicking positions. Even college football teams usually do not use kickoff specialists, despite the much larger rosters at that level; however, if an underclassman has a stronger leg than the upperclassman kicker, but is not yet ready to assume placekicker or punter duties, they will handle kickoff a while being the primary backup to the other positions, much like Gay does for the Bills.

Positions in American football and Canadian football
Offense		Defense		Special teams
Linemen	Guard, Tackle, Center	Linemen	Tackle, End	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, Jammer
Receivers	Wide receiver, Tight end, Slotback	Backs	Nickelback, Dimeback	Tackling	Gunner, Upback
Formations (List) — Nomenclature — Strategy

Gridiron football concepts

Codes

Levels of play

Field

Lines	Goal line Line of scrimmage Out of bounds Sidelines Hash marks

Zones	End zone Red zone Neutral zone Field goal range Flat Passing pocket

Equipment

Helmet	History Winged Eyeshield Revolution

Positions

Offense	Backfield: Quarterback Dual-threat triple-threat Game manager System Running backs Halfback Fullback H-back Slotback Receivers Eligible Wide receiver Tight end End Linemen Center Guard Tackle

Defense	Linemen Defensive tackle Defensive end Linebacker Defensive back Cornerback Safety Nickelback Dimeback Halfback

Special teams	Placekicker Punter Kickoff specialist Long snapper Holder Punt returner Kickoff returner Return specialist Gunner Jammer Upback

Other	History Utility player Skill position Platoon system

Maneuvers

Offense	Snap Hand-off Blocking Spiral Routes Pump fake Juke Lateral Stiff arm Scramble Shift Motion Zone blocking

Defense	Tackle Stunt Shooting the gap Double coverage

Play types

Offense

Rush	Keeper Bootleg Sneak Dive Counter Counter trey Off-tackle End run Option Power Sweep Trap Veer Zone run

Pass	Incomplete Checkdown Screen Drop-back Hail Mary Alley Oop

Defense

Special teams

Other

Scoring

Statistics

Practice

Celebrations

Officiating

Miscellaneous

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