Who Receives the Kickoff After an NFL Try?

The team that defended an NFL extra point or two point try receives the succeeding kickoff. Usually that is the team that just allowed the touchdown.

Part of Football 101. Explore the guide to choose your next topic.

The assignment depends on the teams' roles during the try, not on which team scored most recently. That distinction matters if the defense returns a turnover for two points.

A defensive return does not reverse the kickoff

Blue scores a touchdown and attempts a pass for two. Red intercepts and returns the ball to Blue's end zone. Red earns two points and still receives the next kickoff because Red defended the try.

The return changes the score, not the receiving designation. The same assignment follows a made extra point, a missed extra point, a successful offensive conversion or an unsuccessful try.

For how either team can score on that untimed down, see two point conversion rules.

Resolve flags before restarting

An accepted penalty can require another try. In that case, the kickoff waits until the attempt is settled. Other fouls can be carried to the kickoff and change where it is taken without changing which team receives.

The separate try penalty rules determine whether the score stands, the down is repeated or enforcement moves forward.

There may be no succeeding kickoff

The receiving assignment applies when the game actually continues with a kickoff. If the period or game has ended, the next step follows those timing rules. An overtime result that ends the game does not require a ceremonial kick.

Likewise, a halftime kickoff is governed by the teams' choices for the second half, not by this post try rule. Do not confuse a touchdown at the end of the first half with an ordinary scoring sequence in the middle of a quarter.

If a kickoff is required, choosing a declared onside kick changes the kicking procedure, not the identity of the receiving team.

Keep reading

Where tries begin: Follow the sequence from touchdown to attempt.

Coin toss and deferral: Understand how halftime receiving choices differ.

Onside kicks: See the recovery option available to the kicking team.

Browse the Football 101 library.

Rules reviewed October 10, 2026. Source: 2026 NFL Rulebook, Rule 11 Section 3 Article 4; Rule 4 Section 8.