New FB rules

**thisISnextyear** · 02-24-2012, 11:06 AM

Has this been discussed anywhere? I don't think I've heard of it until today:

Playing Rules Oversight Panel approves rules changes in football, other sports - NCAA.org

**ISUAgronomist** · 02-24-2012, 11:09 AM

Next fall, teams will kick off at the 35-yard line instead of the 30. Also, players on the kicking team can’t line up for the play behind the 30-yard line, which is intended to limit the running start kicking teams used to have during the play.

Also, touchbacks on free kicks will be moved to the 25-yard line instead of the 20 to encourage more touchbacks. Touchbacks on other plays (for example, punts that go into the end zone, or fumbles that go out of the end zone) will remain at the 20-yard line.

Kickers are going to get real good at not kicking touchbacks or onside kicks.

**Naughtius** · 02-24-2012, 11:14 AM

OK, help me here. Isn't a free kick done after a safety? Or is it any kickoff?

**ISUAgronomist** · 02-24-2012, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by Naughtius

OK, help me here. Isn't a free kick done after a safety? Or is it any kickoff?

Sounds like normal kickoffs.

**thisISnextyear** · 02-24-2012, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by ISUAgronomist

Kickers are going to get real good at not kicking touchbacks or onside kicks.

I'm also confused as to how they are encouraging more touchbacks when it is just as beneficial for the kicking team now to NOT have a touchback...

**Yes13** · 02-24-2012, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by thisISnextyear

I'm also confused as to how they are encouraging more touchbacks when it is just as beneficial for the kicking team now to NOT have a touchback...

Maybe its because returners are now more likely to take a knee, but yeah the kickers are now less likely to kick it to the endzone.

**NickTheGreat** · 02-24-2012, 11:40 AM

I think they should add a rule where if you split the upright on a kickoff, you get 1 point.

**VeloClone** · 02-24-2012, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by Naughtius

OK, help me here. Isn't a free kick done after a safety? Or is it any kickoff?

A kick after a safety or a kickoff after a score or to start a half is a free kick because it is anyone's ball (after traveling 10 yards). A punt from scrimmage, field goal try or extra point try kick, on the other hand, is not a free kick because it only belongs to the receiving team unless it is touched by them and recovered by the kicking team.

**PabloDiablo** · 02-24-2012, 12:08 PM

Also, players on the kicking team can’t line up for the play behind the 30-yard line, which is intended to limit the running start kicking teams used to have during the play.

I'm not really sure how this is going to impact collisions that occur 50-60 yards downfield.

**VeloClone** · 02-24-2012, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by PabloDiablo

I'm not really sure how this is going to impact collisions that occur 50-60 yards downfield.

They are going to occur a fraction of a second later.

The reasoning behind that particular change =

**cytech** · 02-24-2012, 12:51 PM

Another new rule that goes into effect next season is if a player loses his helmet (other than as the result of a foul by the opponent, such as a facemask), it will be treated like an injury. The player must leave the game and is not allowed to participate for the next play.
Current injury timeout rules guard against using this rule to gain an advantage from stopping the clock. Additionally, if a player loses his helmet, he must not continue to participate in the play, in order to protect him from injury.

I wonder how this will be enforced, like you are going to get a player to excuse themselves if they lose their helmets. Will there be a penalty if they continue to participate in a play?

**Tre4ISU** · 02-24-2012, 12:57 PM

I don't know if anyone caught it but it also says they will be giving everyone flag belts and get rid of tackling.

**isufbcurt** · 02-24-2012, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by Tre4ISU

I don't know if anyone caught it but it also says they will be giving everyone flag belts and get rid of tackling.

No crap. I hate the wussification of a contact game.

**Clonefan94** · 02-24-2012, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by cytech

I wonder how this will be enforced, like you are going to get a player to excuse themselves if they lose their helmets. Will there be a penalty if they continue to participate in a play?

Hopefully it will get some of these kids to strap the helmets on a little tighter. I've seen games where the same guy loses his helmet a couple of times a game. I never played college ball, but I did play 7 years of tackle football and never had a helmet just pop off like some of these guys.

I understand getting caught in a pile, etc, can pull the helmet off, but it seems to me there are a lot of guys who just arent strapping it on tight enough.

**BKLYNCyclone** · 02-24-2012, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by cytech

I wonder how this will be enforced, like you are going to get a player to excuse themselves if they lose their helmets. Will there be a penalty if they continue to participate in a play?

Scenario 1: Defender has last chance at a tackle. Helmet gets knocked off. You tackle to prevent the touchdown and take the penalty.(if there is a penalty)

Scenario 2: Helmet gets ripped off via facemask penalty as ball carrier breaks free and runs into endzone... Touchdown negated as play whistled dead when helmet comes off. Defensive penalty results in positive result for defense.

I understand the rule and am all about player safety, but there are going to be real issues with this. Hopefully the intent is for players to snap on their helmets better. Seems like that would be the first place to start.