When the XFL was first announced Vince McMahon said, “We want to re-imagine the game of professional football.” Since then, the league has worked on a concept of a faster, more fan-friendly game, with “less stall and more ball.”
Since then, this concept of a better game has moved several steps closer to reality, especially since the XFL has been testing its planned rule changes with The Spring League, Your Call Football, and at community colleges in Mississippi.
Here are the rule changes and enhancements the XFL has been testing.
Forward lateral rule
The XFL has considered the idea of treating passes behind the line of scrimmage as lateral passes, which would allow more than one forward pass to occur. The league feels this would simplify officiating, since it would be easier to judge whether or not a player was behind the line of scrimmage, compared to whether a pass was a lateral or not. The XFL trialed this rule during testing in Mississippi. However, it is still not clear whether a dropped pass is an incomplete pass or a live ball.
A different kickoff
As opposed to the AAF, which did away with kickoffs, the XFL plans to embrace this exciting aspect of the game. The XFL plans to move the spot of the kickoff back to the kicking team’s 15-yard line, which is hoped will reduce the amount of touchbacks. However, in the case that a touchback happens, the ball would be spotted at the 35-yard line. It is hoped that this would encourage kickers to strategically kick the ball as close to the goal line as possible, and further serve to increase the amount of kick returns in the game.
Losing the fair catch
The XFL is considering doing away with fair catches, and instead rely on a halo rule to protect the kick returner. Just like in the CFL, and the original XFL, the kicking team will be forced to give the returner five yards of space to recover and return the ball.
Points after touchdown
The XFL plans to incorporate scrimmage plays for all extra-point attempts. The value of the extra points earned will depend on where the scoring team chooses to take the snap. A two-yard-line attempt would score a single point, a five-yard-line attempt would gain two points, and a ten-yard-line attempt would be for three points. This rule was practiced sparingly by the original XFL, as it became in effect on a rule change that was enacted just before the playoffs.
A shootout style overtime
The proposed XFL overtime format would be a five-round “shootout” of scrimmage plays from the five-yard-line. Just like in a penalty shootout, teams would take turns attempting to make a single play for the end zone, and thus earning a point. At the end of five-rounds, the team with more completed attempts would be declared the winner. The XFL hopes this overtime format would be exciting for fans, ensure both teams have a equal opportunity to win the game, and provide a way for both defensive and offensive players to participate in the outcome.
A different clock
In an attempt to speed up the game, the XFL plans to run the clock continuously, only stopping during a change of possession, and during the two-minute drill, which the XFL will retain. The XFL also plans to reduce the play clock to the shortest time of any American football league, being 25 seconds, measured from the end of the previous play. It should be pointed out that the original XFL, and the AAF, used a 35-second play clock, and Arena football uses a very similar 32-second clock. NFL and college football use a 40-second clock. The Canadian Football League uses a relatively short 20-second clock, however it begins when the ball is spotted, which usually adds up to 15 seconds between plays.
No huddle offence
In direct response to the shortened time clock, the XFL has been trialling a one-way radio placed in all offensive players’ helmets to allow the offensive coordinator to call play on the fly. Theoretically, this would eliminate the need for a huddle.
Using a Ball Judge
The XFL plans to incorporate a “ball judge” who will be responsible for the placement of the ball, and thus speeding up the game. This would bring the number of on-field officials to eight.
Sky Judge
The AAF used a “Sky Judge,” who was an additional official in the booth that had the purpose of reviewing on-field decisions. Oliver Luck has said he thought this was a great innovation to the game and indicated they were considering implementing it in the XFL.
Tap penalty
The XFL may add a “tap” penalty which would be given to individual players who commit a foul that is not serious enough to warrant a penalty flag. The penalty will result in the player being sent off the field for one play, but not resulting in the team being short a player, as a substitute for the offending player will be allowed. The idea is to keep the game moving quickly, while still addressing rule breakers.
Other potential rule changes that have been discussed
In a recent interview, XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck stated that the league would likely use the standard of one foot required in bounds for a complete forward pass, similar to high school/college football, and the CFL.
As in the original XFL, allowing forward motion by all backfielders may be considered. There is a similar rule in the CFL.
Using a one-yard neutral zone at the line of scrimmage, as used by the CFL. The current NFL standard is the length of the football. However, this rule was tested and the league felt it made short-yardage situations too easy to convert.
A proposed rule would require offensive linemen (excluding the snapper) to not put their hand on the ground, thus outlawing the three-point stance.
Conclusion
We are not sure which of these proposed rules will be adopted by the XFL. However, we know that the official rulebook will need to be released soon, in advance of upcoming training camps. We look forward to seeing the XFL’s rule innovations.
Making the XFL League more easy to play than the NFL?