The football rules committee has proposed a few rules changes. The oversight panel reviews changes in April.
1. Kickoff fair catches
This seems like the biggest proposed change. A kickoff returner could call a fair catch inside the 25, and it results in a touchback. This extends the touchback area to about 35 yards to the back of the endzone. This seems to have been proposed because kickers have gotten better at kicking high kickoffs that land between the 5 and the goaline, and coverage usually stops returners inside the 25. It would increase player safety because there will be fewer returns.
2. No blocking below the waist beyond 5 yards, and no blocking below the waist from side/behind except for offensive lineman.
3. 40 second clock for extra points starts after the touchdown, and another 40 second clock after kickoffs, to speed the pace of play. (Overall game length went down 4 minutes last year due to changes like enforcing 20-minute length of halftime).
4. 10 second run-off for replay reviews in the last minute of the half/game, if the result of the review is a play that would not have stopped the clock.
5. Can't leap over the frame of a player on field goals/extra points, same as the current rule for punts.
6. For personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct on field goals, teams will get the option of assessing the penalty on the play or on the ensuing kickoff.
1. Kickoff fair catches
This seems like the biggest proposed change. A kickoff returner could call a fair catch inside the 25, and it results in a touchback. This extends the touchback area to about 35 yards to the back of the endzone. This seems to have been proposed because kickers have gotten better at kicking high kickoffs that land between the 5 and the goaline, and coverage usually stops returners inside the 25. It would increase player safety because there will be fewer returns.
2. No blocking below the waist beyond 5 yards, and no blocking below the waist from side/behind except for offensive lineman.
3. 40 second clock for extra points starts after the touchdown, and another 40 second clock after kickoffs, to speed the pace of play. (Overall game length went down 4 minutes last year due to changes like enforcing 20-minute length of halftime).
4. 10 second run-off for replay reviews in the last minute of the half/game, if the result of the review is a play that would not have stopped the clock.
5. Can't leap over the frame of a player on field goals/extra points, same as the current rule for punts.
6. For personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct on field goals, teams will get the option of assessing the penalty on the play or on the ensuing kickoff.
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