Among the least remembered tactics in American football history is the return kick, which was little used for fifty or more years before the NCAA eliminated it in 1967. Primarily used on punt returns when teams had an effective punter as its return man, a return kick was legal whenever a player took possession of the ball on a kickoff, punt, fumble recovery, or interception and immediately punted the ball back to the team that just lost control of the ball. The idea of kicking the ball back to the opponent seems bizarre today, but the return kick fit the field position game played before the 1940s when teams averaged less than fourteen points per game. Like punting on first or second down, a well-timed and executed return kick could pin an opponent deep in their own territory.
Interesting subject and read on the return kick. Love the CFL video examples too.
Yep. The rouge or single creates some interesting strategic and tactical differences in the game.