The XFL released its long-anticipated rulebook today and there are several noticeable differences between the upstart league and traditional football. Touting the major changes as “Five Gameplay Innovations,” the XFL is intent on making its brand of professional football more enjoyable to experience as many of the rule changes are geared towards making the game a much faster-paced product to consume. The idea is to play as entertaining a game as possible, with no ties, in under three hours. Here are some of the most interesting rules that were presented today.
Safer kickoff returns ✅
More action for PATs ✅
Shootout-style OT format ✅
Double forward passes ✅
Running game clock ✅
Fewer timeouts ✅
25-second play clock ✅
One foot in bounds = catch ✅
Shorter halftime ✅
Dedicated ball-spotting official ✅https://t.co/pThoNPekJd— XFL (@XFL2023) January 7, 2020
Conversions
One major change for the XFL and one that will definitely lead to higher-scoring games is the point-after try. Teams will not only have the chance to go for either one- or two-point conversions, but the XFL is also introducing a three-point conversion, as well. Here is a quick breakdown of the conversion specifics:
- A one-point try from the two-yard line
- A two-point try from the five-yard line
- A three-point try from the 10-yard line
Because of these new rules, a nine-point difference is now a one-possession game. Defensively, teams will be allowed to return a conversion attempt and score the same amount of points the offense was attempting to score.
The Double Forward Pass
Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising of the new rules, at least initially, is the allowance of a double forward pass. With a closer look, the rule limits the pass to behind the line of scrimmage. This will allow a quarterback to line up in the shotgun, set a receiver in motion, give the receiver a forward shovel pass, and still give the receiver an opportunity to throw the ball downfield. The XFL also cites that allowing a forward pass makes “double passes less risky because the first pass may fall incomplete rather than becoming a fumbled lateral.”
Overtime
Overtime differs wildly from the traditional NFL overtime. Overtime will now be a shootout-style affair, consisting of five rounds. Each team will be allowed one play in order to score. After the play concludes, the opposing team’s offense will attempt to score. Every score in overtime counts as two points. Defensive teams cannot score. If a defensive team forces a turnover in overtime, the play ends immediately. If the teams remain tied after five rounds, play continues until there is a winner.
Kickoffs
Kickoffs will happen from the 25-yard line, as opposed to the 35-yard line in the NFL. Out of bounds kicks will be placed at the 45-yard line of the kicking team. Kicks that end up in the end zone will be brought out to the 35 yard line of the return team. Players cannot move until the ball is caught by the returner. The XFL wants kickoffs to be exciting again but is also concerned for player safety. This kickoff scheme will be an interesting compromise.
Punts
The last of the “Five Gameplay Innovations” is the punt coverage and formation. The rationale behind the renovated punt scheme is to bring back the excitement of punt returns. Punts that end up in the end zone will be brought back to the 35-yard line. Members of the punt team will not be able to move downfield until the ball is kicked (including gunners). Defenders over the gunner cannot cross the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked.
Other Rules
Other interesting changes from the NFL that the XFL will implement are timing-based. There will now be a running clock for the majority of the game, with the exception of the final two minutes of the half. To increase the number of plays, the play clock will be on 25 seconds, as opposed to the 40-second NFL clock. Finally, each team will be given two timeouts per half.
The XFL’s new rules and innovations are sure to get people interested in spring football again. There is just a little over a month left until the XFL season kicks off.
