The football rules changes were announced today. I'm really pleased with a couple of them.
The first is that there is now a 40-second play clock that starts when the last play ends. No longer does a referee have to signal a ready for play. This will speed up the game.
There's also a change that's years overdue. The old rule that required seven players on the line of scrimmage has been scrapped. The new rule just says there cannot be more than four players in the offensive backfield. So if a team has only 10 players on the field, it's no longer going to be a foul. It shouldn't be illegal to play at a disadvantage.
The horsecollar rule has expanded to include grabbing the nameplate on the back of the jersey. Previously, the hand had to be inside the collar of the jersey.
In my many years of officiating, I've only seen a runner purposely tripped on two occasions, but it was legal. No longer. A player cannot intentionally use a foot or leg to trio anyone.
Also, state who want to use limited instant replay in the playoffs will be allowed. I don't see Virginia doing this, but who knows.
http://nfhs.org/articles/40-second-play-clock-postseason-instant-replay-among-football-changes/http://nfhs.org/articles/40-second-play-clock-postseason-instant-replay-among-football-changes/
The first is that there is now a 40-second play clock that starts when the last play ends. No longer does a referee have to signal a ready for play. This will speed up the game.
There's also a change that's years overdue. The old rule that required seven players on the line of scrimmage has been scrapped. The new rule just says there cannot be more than four players in the offensive backfield. So if a team has only 10 players on the field, it's no longer going to be a foul. It shouldn't be illegal to play at a disadvantage.
The horsecollar rule has expanded to include grabbing the nameplate on the back of the jersey. Previously, the hand had to be inside the collar of the jersey.
In my many years of officiating, I've only seen a runner purposely tripped on two occasions, but it was legal. No longer. A player cannot intentionally use a foot or leg to trio anyone.
Also, state who want to use limited instant replay in the playoffs will be allowed. I don't see Virginia doing this, but who knows.
http://nfhs.org/articles/40-second-play-clock-postseason-instant-replay-among-football-changes/http://nfhs.org/articles/40-second-play-clock-postseason-instant-replay-among-football-changes/