kickoff (noun)

(football) a kick from the center of the field to start a football game or to resume it after a score

beginning, commencement, first, outset, get-go, start, kickoff, starting time, showtime, offset (noun)

the time at which something is supposed to begin

"they got an early start"; "she knew from the get-go that he was the man for her"

kickoff, send-off, start-off (noun)

a start given to contestants

"I was there with my parents at the kickoff"

Kickoff

A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team". The receiving team is then entitled to return the ball, i.e., attempt to advance it towards the kicking team's end zone, until the player with the ball is tackled by the kicking team, goes out of bounds, or scores a touchdown. Kickoffs take place at the start of each half of play and any overtime period, and after each scoring play. Common variants on the typical kickoff format include the onside kick, in which the kicking team attempts to regain possession of the ball; a touchback, which may occur if the ball is kicked into the receiving team's end zone; or a fair catch, in which a player on the receiving team waives his entitlement to attempt a return in exchange for a chance to catch the ball without interference from the kicking team. Additionally, penalties exist for various infractions such as a player violating his position restrictions prior to the kick, or if the ball goes out of bounds before touching a player.