Football Discussion Forums

Kickoff/punt:



Not sure I totally understand what they're going for with the kickoffs.

Extra points:

1 point kick from the 15-yard line.
2 point scrimmage play from the 2
3 point scrimmage play from the 10

https://twitter.com/USFL/status/1506616761692528641

Timing:

Overtime: best of three shootout from the 2 yard line followed by sudden death if necessary.

https://twitter.com/i/lists/1247916354298155009

My thoughts:

- overtime: not my desired format; but at least it's (sort of) different
- timing: not perfect, but I think this is the right idea.
- extra points: I don't need to see any more kicks from my alt leagues, but I'm happy they have the three pointer.
- kickoffs: I don't really get what they're going for; interested to see what it looks like.
- punts: seems like a nice wrinkle worth trying.

More:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/335 ... ule-twists

A second option to retain possession after scoring [in addition to an onside kick] will be converting a fourth-and-12 from a team's 33.

• Two forward passes from behind the line of scrimmage are legal.

• Each coach will be allowed one replay challenge. USFL Replay Command at Fox Sports Control Center in Los Angeles will make all replay decisions.

• The penalty for defensive pass interference will mirror the NCAA rule with exceptions. First, a defender intentionally tackling a receiver beyond 15 yards would become a spot foul. The penalty will be a spot foul if it occurs 15 yards or less from the line of scrimmage or a 15-yard penalty from the line of scrimmage if the spot of the foul is beyond 15 yards.

• If a pass does not cross the line of scrimmage, there can be no pass interference or ineligible player downfield penalties.

I'm also interpreting the wording from the ESPN article to mean that conversions in overtime can be run back by the defense for a score. Interested to see if that's the case.

HERE ARE THE USFL RULES

https://www.foxsports.com/stories/usfl/ ... -much-more

I assume the kickoff rules are to encourage returns as opposed to touchbacks. Even if the kicker boots it 75 yards to the goal line, with no running start from the kicking team it's still likely a better play to run it out than take a knee.

I'm good with everything really except the OT shootout. I get the NFL system stinks, but really one untimed possession per team just seems easier and more satisfying. I don't like that you'll play 60 minutes of one type of game to a tie and then just play essentially a mini-game. It'd be like a tie in the NBA being decided by a 3 point contest.

The whole replay thing sets wrong with me. I mean, I get that Fox owns the USFL, but to have your replay action happening at network offices instead of a dedicated league office smacks of interference that shouldn't be happening. The sports operation should be separate from the TV operation. There's no reason when your entire league operation is in Birmingham to be micromanaging the officiating from KTTV in Los Angeles.