I’m sure most of you are fully aware of the resurrection of the infamous XFL. This time they are back with a new and more structured look. They have surrounded themselves with people that know the game of football inside and out and it will be interesting to see how this new Spring League fares when they hit the field next month. In no way is this a competition, unlike the previous XFL run in 2001. The XFL is simply giving a fresh perspective on the sport and could potentially inspire some interesting rule changes to the NFL. Here’s what we know so far about the XFL

XFL Will Provide Faster Gameplay

Probably the biggest element of concern with the XFL in the beginning stages was the pace of play. The XFL is going to provide a fast-paced game. There will be a 25-second play clock and the clock will start when the Dedicated Official Ball Spotter places the ball. Also, the clock will continuously run except when play is within 2 minutes of each half. This will be interesting to see enacted because we are so used to the clock stopping on incomplete passes and when a ball-carrier runs out of bounds. Within the Comeback Period, or Two-Minute Warning as we are used to, all plays, even if they are within the field of play will stop the clock. However, a five-second run off will be assessed when the ball is placed within the field of play on plays still in bounds.

Instead of 3 timeouts, in the XFL you are only allowed 2 timeouts per half. This will add an element of excitement, due to the unforgiving nature of one less stoppage. Another interesting rule is regarding replays. There will be no coach challenges, so a coach cannot throw a flag if they disagree with a ruling. Although there are no challenges, in the XFL all plays are subject to review. Lastly, the XFL will feature a 10-minute halftime, which is around 2 minutes less than the NFL.

XFL Will Bring New and Updated Rules to Football

Here are some of the new rules that the XFL is bringing to the table, some may seem odd to you, but I personally see positives in all of these new rules.

- Kickoff Rule

Along with a faster pace of play, one of the main initiatives in the early stages of the XFL revival was to provide a safer game and the kickoff is a prime example of that. The kicker will kick the ball off at the 25-yard line, but instead of the kicking team remaining beside the kicker at the kickoff, the kicking team will be placed on the opposite 35-yard line and the opposing team will be lined up 5 yards away from the kicking team. The kicker must kick the ball past the opposing 20-yard line or they will be assessed an illegal procedure penalty and the ball will be placed at the opposing 45-yard line. The ball will also be placed at the 45-yard line if the kicker happens to kick the ball out of bounds. This is a no nonsense rule for the special teams and it could be crucial to teams that fail to comply.

If the ball is kicked to the end zone and downed, the ball will be placed at the 35-yard line, but if the ball bounces in bounds and out of the end zone, or is downed in the end zone by the kick returner, the ball will be spotted at the 15-yard line. This rule is interesting, because it seemingly puts the kicking team at a disadvantage. It does however, create more potential excitement for the return team, because it will ultimately be up to them to create a play that puts them at an advantage. Teams cannot pursue or block until the ball is either caught or the ball touches the ground and 3 seconds has passed. This will be another rule that will be interesting to see in play, because this kickoff format is unlike anything Americans are used to. Onside kicks are within the rules in the XFL. Teams that want to execute an onside kick will have to notify the official before teams line up. Kickoffs will be interesting to say the least.

- Punts

Along the same lines of kickoffs, punting will also receive a facelift in the XFL. There are some things I like and dislike about the XFL’s punting rules. One thing I do like is the fact that that it discourages fair catches. Fair catches are allowed, but I feel like returners will not opt for that route in most cases. The Punting team can’t move past the line of scrimmage until the ball in punted and gunners aren’t as lethal as they are in the NFL. This will provide a safer alternative to the punt, but here are some things I dislike about the punting rules

If the ball is punted out of bounds within the opposing 35-yard line, the ball is automatically placed at the 35-yard line and the same goes for punts that land or go out of the end zone. There aren’t many things on special teams more satisfying than landing a punt within the 20-yard line. With the XFL eliminating this rule, it holds back the potential of a good punter. I understand that the purpose behind this is to allow for more potential offense, but a punter can be a very valuable asset to a team and this rule is taking the minimal amount of momentum that a punter can potentially create.

- Extra-Point Rule

In the NFL and College Football, teams are allowed to opt for an extra-point kick or go for two on an offensive play after they reach the end zone. The XFL is changing that rule. After scoring a touchdown, teams are not only allowed the options of an extra-point or a 2-point conversion, but they are also given the option of a 3-point conversion. Absolutely no kicking is allowed on extra-point conversions. Scoring teams can choose for the ball to be placed at the 2-yard line (1-point conversion), the 5-yard line (2-point conversion), or the 10-yard line (3-point conversion). Also, the defensive team can convert as well, if they create a turnover and run it all the way back. I think that this is a cool and unique rule that will provide intrigue to the league. A 9-point touchdown is possible in the XFL and I think that is awesome. It will take some getting used to, but the fact that a team can overcome a 17-point deficit by scoring twice and an 18-point deficit can be tied up within 2 scores is honestly pretty cool.

- Double Forward Pass and Overtime Rules

I guess I will start with the double forward pass. Obviously in the NFL and College games, the ball can only be passed forward one time during the course of a play, but in the XFL you can pass the ball twice as long as the first pass is behind the line of scrimmage. I’m not sure how often this will come into play, but I think it is another cool rule. It seems like something that would be allowed on the video game NFL Street and I love that I can make that connection to this style of play. Like I said, I don’t know how often we could see this over the course of a game, but the fact that the XFL is blatantly explaining this rule to the public is an indicator that we could see this a decent amount.

The overtime rules are also another interesting thing about the XFL. The thing about the XFL’s overtime rules is that there will always be a winner. No more ties. That is music to my ears, but listen up. The overtime rules are not like standard football overtime rules, instead they are molded straight from the NHL. That’s right, the hockey league. In the XFL, if two teams are tied at the end of regulation, they will enter 5 shootout rounds. Teams will each have 5 opportunities to score and the leading scorer at the end of the shootout rounds wins the game. Here’s how it works. Each team will get 5 separate chances at the 5-yard line to score. If a team scores, they will receive 2 points for each successful scoring play in overtime, which means a team can score up to 10 points in a standard overtime, but if the teams are tied at the end of 5 rounds, it will continue until there is an outright winner of a round in succession to the 5 shootout rounds.

Penalties are always crucial, but in overtime in the XFL, they are even more crucial. If the defense is assessed a penalty, the ball will automatically be placed at the 1-yard line, instead of the 5. A pre-snap penalty when the guilty party is the offense, will be tacked on from the 5-yard line. For instance, if an offensive player is called for a false start, the ball will be place at the 10-yard line. That rule isn’t unique, but if there is a post-snap penalty on the offense, the play will end and the offense isn’t allowed to score for the round. I think that this is an awesome set of rules for overtime. It is unique to the XFL and it will encourage fans to keep watching a tight game.

That pretty much does it for the unique rules of the XFL. I am excited to see the start of the XFL and hopefully they will have a successful run this time around. All games will either be broadcast on FOX or ESPN family of channels, which is a very encouraging sign. Hopefully they can not only capitalize on the mistakes they made in their initial run, but hopefully they can capitalize on the mistakes that the now defunct AAF made last year. The only thing left now to do is pick a team to root for and enjoy some spring football. Hopefully when they expand, Charlotte gets a team.

It looks like the XFL is ready to unleash, but there is one question that remains. Are you ready for the XFL?

Yacs

XFL: A Fresh Look at Football