An in-depth look at the UFL rules: Similarities, differences from the XFL, USFL, and more (part one)

UFL management worked hard in the off-season to create a rulebook that melded what we saw from both the USFL and XFL in 2023. The results of that hard work were published early this week on the league’s new, redesigned website, TheUFL.com. Rule highlights were sent out in a press release, while the full rulebook is available for download on the site. This is the first of a two-part series where I will dive into the key rules produced by the UFL and what the USFL and XFL versions of that rule looked like in comparison, as well as an analysis of each and my own personal take on the decisions. Part 2 is here.

Kickoff

XFL rule: Kickoff from the 30-yard line; kicking team lines up on receiving team’s 35 yard-line, receiving team lines up five yards away on own 30-yard line. No player can move until the returner touches the ball. Touchbacks go out to the 35-yard line. Kicks out of bounds go to the kicking team’s 45-yard line (a 15-yard penalty from the kickoff spot).

USFL rule: Kickoff from the 25-yard line, no kicking team member may line up further than one-yard behind the line. Receiving team must have a minimum of eight players between their 35 and 45-yard lines.

UFL rule: USFL rule wins out, with a slight change of kicking off from the 20 instead of the 25 (NFL kickoff is at the 35). Touchbacks come out to the 25. Kicks out of bounds result in the ball placed 30 yards from the spot of the kickoff (which would be the 50-yard line for most) or at the spot where the ball went out of bounds.

Analysis: The rule most likely to upset XFL fans is this one, removing the unique kickoff that had been associated with the XFL and had been championed by so many in the media to the point that even the NFL is considering implementing it. Ultimately, it came down to the fact that “it didn’t look like football” as stated by former USFL executive and current UFL VP of Football Operations Darryl Johnston. Both XFL and USFL kickoffs appeared to reduce injuries and increase returns, the main goal of tweaking this particular rule. A concern is that moving the kickoff back to the 20, a full 15 yards from the NFL spot, may artificially increase starting field position.

My take: Losing the XFL kickoff stinks if only because of its distinctiveness: I’m a firm believer that spring leagues need to offer something different to attract eyeballs to their product, as there are a finite number of people willing to watch the same exact game as the NFL, only with what they perceive as inferior players. The XFL kickoff did that and was effective in its goals. However, the USFL kickoff checks the same boxes in terms of preventing injuries and increasing returns, and that’s the most important part of this play. The XFL kickoff was not perfect, either, allowing too many opportunities for penalties, with some of them being far too punitive.

PATs

XFL rule: No kicks; three tiered options for offensive plays: one point from the two-yard line; two points from the five; and three points from the 10.

USFL rule: Can choose to kick for one point from the 15-yard line; can also choose to run an offensive play for two points from the two, and three points from the 10.

UFL rule: The XFL’s version is the choice here.

Analysis: Just as XFL fans were upset about the kickoff rules, so were USFL fans unhappy with the removal of the PAT kick. Spring football leagues have historically attempted to make the game more exciting, and eliminating what has become a near-automatic extra point has often been a target. Some believe eschewing the extra point kick will damage the chances kickers may have of getting NFL looks – after all, it’s one less opportunity for them to show what they can do. But plenty of kickers from the XFL in 2020 and 2023 tried out or were signed by NFL teams without the aid of the traditional extra point.

My take: The three-tiered extra point option adds strategy and intrigue to the point-after attempts, and puts the ball in the hands of the offense more often. That’s a good thing. Any negative impact this has on kickers will be negligible.

Punts

XFL rule: Touchbacks placed at the 35-yard line to encourage returns. Coverage players cannot not leave the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked.

USFL rule: Touchbacks placed at the 20-yard line. Gunners on the kicking team cannot line up outside the numbers, and they cannot be double-teamed by the receiving team until the ball is snapped.

UFL rule: The USFL rule was favored here, for the most part: Touchbacks will be placed at the 25, which is closer to the USFL rule and is the current NFL guideline. The UFL also keeps the gunner rule from the USFL. Any punt that goes out of bounds inside the receiving team’s 25-yard line will be placed at the 25 to begin the drive. Similar to the XFL rule, players are now given one yard of grace beyond the line of scrimmage that they can travel before the punt.

Analysis: Nothing drastic here. The USFL implemented some rules to continue looking out for player safety, as punts and kickoffs are the two most dangerous plays in football. The UFL is wisely keeping those. It’s worth noting that the UFL rulebook doesn’t seem to mention anything about a halo rule for players receiving punts, nor does it mention how many yards kicking team players have to give the returner to field the punt. Like they’ve done on kickoffs, the UFL has curated rules to encourage returns.

My take: The XFL’s touchback rule, like their kickoff rule, punished kickers a bit too much for their errors. So I like the ball at the 25 for touchbacks. I also understand wanting to encourage returns, but I’m not sure taking the strategy of the coffin-corner kick out of the game is the right move. Unlike extra points for kickers, I think there are some punters who could impress NFL teams with their directional kicking, which has now essentially been legislated out of spring football.

Alternate Possession

XFL rule: In addition to the onsides kick, teams have the option of a 4th-and-15 play from their own 25-yard line, only when tied or trailing in the fourth quarter.

USFL rule: Pretty much the same, only it’s a 4th-and-12 play from a team’s own 33-yard line, and it could be attempted any time during the game.

UFL rule: A push: They keep the USFL’s 4th-and-12, but it will be from the 28-yard line when tied or trailing in the fourth.

Analysis: The fourth down opportunity ensures no team is ever really out of the game, an attempt to make games more interesting for longer. Some won’t like it because it is an artificial way to try to make games closer, but the increased excitement factor is the trade-off. It’s also a rule that league management could continue to adjust in the ensuing years once they get more data on these plays.

My take: In theory, the 4th-and-15 should be more difficult than the 4th-and-12, and this play SHOULD be difficult to pull off, so I prefer the former. The idea is to have a similar success rate to the onside kick, which is the play this is basically replacing. Yet we saw a couple conversions last year in the XFL with 4th-and-15, so 4th-and-12 could be easier. It’s a quirky rule that I like, but I totally understand if football purists look at it with disdain.

Two Forward Passes

XFL rule: Teams can initiate two forward passes on a play, provided the first pass does not cross the line of scrimmage.

USFL rule: Same as XFL rule.

UFL rule: Same as both leagues in 2023.

Analysis: A brainchild of the mad scientists of XFL 2020, it’s another rule to set the league apart from others while also encouraging offensive innovation and scoring.

My take: I suppose this rule doesn’t hurt, but we have yet to see teams take full advantage of this. It was pulled off just once in 2020 and I believe only once last year in the XFL. I’m not sure why a rule that teams seem reluctant to add to their offensive repertoire is so critical that it had to be brought back. Replace this with the CFL and XFL 2001’s rule allowing receivers to move forward toward the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball, and that’s a trade-off I’d welcome.

Completed Catch Definition

XFL rule: One foot in-bounds constitutes a legal catch (college football rule).

USFL rule: Two feet in-bounds are needed for a catch (NFL rule).

UFL rule: They’ll take the USFL and NFL lead on this with two feet in-bounds required for a catch.

Analysis: All three versions of the XFL had used the college rule for catches, so this will be something different for those fans. Many rules have been put in place to give the offense a little edge; in this one, they’re taking that edge away a bit by forcing players to have two feet touch the playing field for a catch to be made. On the topic of a completed catch, one of the more controversial NFL rules is how exactly they define (or fail to properly define) a catch. Those hoping the UFL would simplify that interpretation would be wrong: The wording of “Completed or Intercepted Pass” found in Rule 8, Section 1, Article 3 on page 54 of the UFL rulebook is identical to the wording of the same in the NFL rulebook.

My take: Another one I could go either way on. I get that with this being pro football, adhering to generally-accepted pro football rules makes the most sense. Needing only one foot in-bounds, though, could increase offensive productivity. I would’ve liked to have seen them attempt to differentiate from the NFL when it comes to the definition of a completed catch, but perhaps having the ability for replay officials to look closely at those plays will minimize inconsistency and mistakes in that regard.