The onside kick is the term American football referring to a kick where the kicking team intentionally shoots the ball a short distance through the kickoff for the receiving team. Usually, they will kick directly to the ground to bounce the ball.

Why do they call it an onside kick?

Origin of the term and use in Canadian football

In rugby, while the forward pass is prohibited, a team in possession may legally kick the ball downfield and recapture possession, provided that the receiver of the kick was onside when the kick was made (i.e., level with or behind the kicker.)

What is an onside kick and why is it used?

An onside kick is usually a desperation technique used when the kicking team trails in the score with little time left in the game, in order to regain the ball and score again. ... An onside kick is considered successful if the kicking team regains the ball.