The NFL's current kickoff formation was inspired by the XFL. But when the XFL and the USFL merged, the UFL opted for the USFL's traditional kickoff formation. In the second season of the UFL, the ...

In the first year of the UFL, the merged XFL-USFL used a traditional kickoff formation, with an onside option that consisted of a fourth-and-15 play from the kicking team’s 25. This year, as the UFL ...

The NFL's new kickoff formation has made the base play better. The onside kick continues to be bad. The success rate is low. Too low. The element of a potential surprise onside kick is off the table.