<P> In gridiron football, an onside kick is a kickoff deliberately kicked short . In most kickoffs, the kicking team concedes possession of the ball and tries to kick it as far as possible from its own goal . In an onside kick, the kicking team kicks short in hopes of regaining possession of the ball before the receiving team can control it . </P> <P> The onside kick is a low - percentage play, generally only seen late in a game when the kicking team is trailing in the score and must retain possession of the ball in order to score before time expires . However, its chances of success increase in a situation where the returning team does not expect it . </P> <P> Gridiron football originates in rugby football, and so does the onside kick . 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., abreast with or behind the kicker .) </P>

What percentage of onside kicks are successful in college football