The Definitive Online Sports Stylebook

The Ben Watanabe Sports Stylebook

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kickoff (n., adj.), kick off (v.)

One word when used as a noun or adjective: Brian Mitchell returned the opening kickoff to the Philadelphia 33-yard line; Devin Hester’s kickoff prowess made him a true game-changer for the Bears.

Two words, not hyphenated, when used as a verb: The game kicks off at 1:08 p.m. ET.