ONSIDE KICK Meaning and
Definition
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An onside kick refers to a specific type of kickoff in American football, where the kicking team intentionally aims to recover the ball rather than simply kicking it deep into the opponents' territory. This strategy is employed when the team attempting the onside kick is trailing in the game and hopes to regain possession quickly to increase their chances of scoring and potentially turning the outcome in their favor.
During an onside kick, the kicking team deliberately kicks the ball a shorter distance, typically with a higher trajectory, aiming to land it just beyond the 10-yard line while keeping it inbounds. The goal is to give the kicking team the opportunity to quickly recover the ball before it travels the required 10 yards that would otherwise make it eligible for the receiving team to possess.
To execute an onside kick successfully, the kicking team needs to time their approach precisely, with the hope of catching the opposition off-guard or catching them in an unfavorable position to secure the ball. This technique requires a well-coordinated effort by the kicking team, with their players strategically positioned and making a determined effort to pounce on the ball as soon as it becomes available.
As onside kicks involve significant risk due to the potential for the receiving team to secure the ball and gain excellent field position, they are typically reserved for critical moments or desperate situations in a game where the team attempting it has exhausted other alternatives to regain possession and requires a game-changing play.
Common Misspellings for ONSIDE KICK
- inside kick
- knside kick
- lnside kick
- pnside kick
- 0nside kick
- 9nside kick
- obside kick
- omside kick
- ojside kick
- ohside kick
- onaide kick
- onzide kick
- onxide kick
- ondide kick
- oneide kick
- onwide kick
- onsude kick
- onsjde kick
- onskde kick
Etymology of ONSIDE KICK
The term "onside kick" originated in American football and its etymology can be broken down as follows:
1. Onside: The word "onside" comes from the combination of the prefix "on-" and the word "side". The prefix "on-" often indicates being in a position of contact or attachment with something. In this context, "on" suggests being close to or in contact with the ball during the kick.
2. Kick: The term "kick" refers to the action of striking the ball with the foot, usually to propel it forward or in a particular direction.
Therefore, an "onside kick" refers to a specific type of kick in which the ball is intentionally kicked a short distance by the kicking team and is recovered by one of their own players. This kick is often performed during a kickoff in an attempt to regain possession of the ball.
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