With the UFL releasing its rulebook 10 days before its training camp begins in Arlington, TX, the worst-kept secret was made official: The league plans on using a USFL-style kickoff. The merged league, however, intends to use XFL-style point-after-touchdowns.
The unique XFL kickoff, now officially put on hiatus, was considered one of the most prominent rule innovations created by the upstart football league, ever since it was envisioned by Sam Schwartzstein using eleven packs of Splenda, eleven packs of Sweet’N Low, and one sugar packet on a table.
The XFL kickoff had drawn the attention of the NFL, which was hoping to shake up their kickoff format. However, in a statement to ESPN, UFL football operations chief Daryl Johnston said that a traditional kickoff is something “some of us felt was important” during the XFL-USFL merger negotiations that ultimately formed the UFL. According to Johnston, they “drew a hard line in the sand,” which proved to be successful.
In an interview with ESPN, Johnston stated, “Our doctors provided us with player safety data that was very similar, concluding that choosing one version over the other did not have a significant impact on player safety. As always, we will continue to monitor the data after each season and ensure the format we use is the best version with all aspects considered. We believe the transition of the kickoff play can be a gradual process as we track potential player safety issues moving forward.”
Similar to how the USFL played it in 2022 and 2023, in 2024, UFL kickers will line up at the 20-yard line, which will limit and possibly eliminate the potential for touchbacks.
In the XFL version used in 2020 and 2023, the kicker was positioned at his own 30-yard line to encourage a return. No player other than the kicker and returner could move until the ball was fielded or it was on the ground for 3 seconds. Reports indicate that this format achieved a return rate of 90%.
The UFL rules announcement also confirmed that the league would adopt the XFL’s three-tiered option for post-touchdown points, which the league will implement as an additional touchdown attempt via a scrimmage play (run/pass). Teams are awarded one point for a successful try from the 2-yard line, two points from the 5-yard line, and three points from the 10-yard line.
While the option of offensive play PATs is more exciting for game play, some have argued that it reduces opportunities for place-kickers to show their skills.
Other UFL rules set for the 2024 season are:
Overtime will consist of alternating attempts to score from the opponent’s 5-yard line with no kicks allowed. It will be a best-of-three format or until a winner has been determined.
While onside kicks are allowed at any time during the game, teams will have an alternate option to retain possession in the fourth quarter. If a team is tied or behind during the fourth quarter, it may elect to retain possession after a score with a 4th-and-12 from its own 28-yard line.
Each coach may challenge any ruling, including fouls or potential fouls, one time during the course of a contest, provided the team has a timeout remaining. A successful challenge will not result in a loss of a timeout, while the timeout is lost if the challenge is unsuccessful.
Defensive pass interference will result in a 15-yard penalty or a spot foul if the foul occurred less than 15 yards downfield. Intentional defensive pass interference will result in a spot foul if it is beyond 15 yards downfield.
Designated members of the officiating department may stop a game at any time before the ball is next legally put in play to review a play if the play is reviewable, there is reasonable evidence to believe an error was made in the initial ruling and it would have a direct, competitive impact on the game. These reviews will be made from a secure location separate from the site of the game. Any call or non-call related to player safety is also subject to review at any point during the game, as well as any officiating ruling in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime that is obviously incorrect and will have a significant impact on the outcome of the game.
A completed catch or interception is defined as a player securing control of the ball prior to the ball touching the ground; and touching the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands.
Teams will be allowed, as they were in both leagues last season, to throw two forward passes on one play. The ball cannot cross the line of scrimmage at any time prior to the second forward pass being thrown.
All touchbacks on kicks (punts or kickoffs) will be placed at the receiving team’s 25-yard line. Any punt that goes out of bounds inside the receiving team’s 25-yard line will be considered a touchback and placed at the 25-yard line. Non-kicking touchbacks will also be placed at the 25-yard line.
The complete rulebook is available for download in PDF format: UFL Rules 2024.
