Report: NFL could ban leaping over line to block kicks

The latest special teams trend in the NFL could be short-lived.

It's been around for a few years, but the practice of defensive players jumping over the offensive line to block field-goal attempts has entered the mainstream football consciousness this season after several successful attempts.

Most recently, Shea McClellin of the New England Patriots did it to force Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker to miss his first kick of the year:

The play is currently legal, as long as the defender doesn't push off anyone as he makes the leap. But not every coach is happy with that.

An NFL official told The Washington Post's Adam Kilgore that the league's competition committee has discussed the play in the past and will review it again this offseason.

"It's bad for football," Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said earlier this season after Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner attempted the leap against his team. "Because what you’re going to have to do now is start having centers raise their face up and get kicked in the face. And things that are just dangerous to the players. I think it's a dangerous play as it is and should be taken out of the game."