Deferring the coin toss has become a popular strategy in football, particularly in the NFL, since the rule change in 2008 allowing teams to do so. The main reasons teams choose to defer are:
- Opportunity for a “double-up” score: This strategy involves scoring on the final possession of the first half and then scoring again on the first possession of the second half after receiving the kickoff. This can be a major momentum shifter and a way to quickly build a lead.
- Strategic adjustments at halftime: Deferring ensures that the team gets the ball to start the second half, allowing the coaching staff to implement any offensive or defensive adjustments made during halftime before the opposing team gets another possession.
- Giving the defense the initial advantage: A team with a strong defense might choose to let them start the game on the field, hoping to force a quick stop, gain favorable field position for their offense, or even force a turnover and score.
- Choosing the favorable field direction: In some situations, particularly with wind or other weather conditions, a team might defer to choose which goal they will defend in the first quarter, hoping to have the wind at their back (or against their opponent) in the crucial fourth quarter.
While deferring offers potential advantages, choosing to receive the opening kickoff also has its benefits, such as the chance to jump out to an early lead and potentially disrupt the opponent’s game plan. However, statistics suggest that deferring has a slight edge, with teams that defer winning a slightly higher percentage of games compared to teams that choose to receive.
Did the Chiefs defer the coin toss?
Great question! The Kansas City Chiefs were the away team for Super Bowl 59. That meant they got to call the toss on Sunday. And they were correct with Chris Jones’ choice of tails. The Chiefs won the toss and opted to defer for those of you who might have an interest in these things.
When did teams start deferring?
From my experience, Nevertheless, the NFL gave its teams the option to defer starting in 2008, and in those first three seasons, a third (32 percent, to be exact) of coaches elected to do so. In 2011-12, that number had risen to half of NFL coaches.
Is it better to defer or receive in football?
From my experience, Most teams want to receive at the start of the second half, because the receiving team is able to score immediately, so they allow the opposing team to choose who starts with the ball when the game begins.
What is the new NFL coin toss rule?
I can help with that. Starting in 2025, both teams will get to possess the ball in overtime no matter what happens on the first drive. Teams that won the coin toss in overtime have a 30-17-2 record since 2022: 12-4 W-L in 2024, 5-8 in 2023, 13-5-2 in 2022. No NFL game has ended in a tie over the last two seasons.