NFL Owners approve Overtime Changes, Touchback Adjustments, and More
march 26, 2024
NFL owners, convening for their annual league meeting on Tuesday, approved meaningful changes to overtime rules, touchback placement, video review, and more. while a decision on the “tush push” play was deferred,several key adjustments were greenlit for the upcoming seasons.
Overtime Period Shortened, Ensuring Possession for Both Teams
in a move to align regular season and playoff overtime rules, the owners voted to ensure both teams get a possession in overtime, even if the first team scores a touchdown. Though, the regular season overtime period will be shortened to 10 minutes.
Touchbacks Move to the 35-Yard Line
Starting in the 2025 season, touchbacks will be advanced from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line. The change aims to incentivize teams to return kickoffs, anticipating that the return rate will more than double, increasing from this seasonS rate to approximately 65-75%. The league hopes this will lead to more exciting plays and reduce the number of automatic touchbacks.
Video Review Expanded to Include More Penalties
The scope of video review has been broadened to include five additional penalties: hitting a defenseless player, facemask infractions, horse-collar tackles, and roughing the kicker. Importantly,video review will only be used to overturn penalties that were initially called on the field.
Hawk-Eye Technology to Replace Chain Gang for First Down Measurements
In 2025, the NFL will fully implement Sony’s Hawk-Eye technology as the primary method for validating first downs. Following prosperous testing in 2024, the league is confident in the system’s accuracy and efficiency. This transition marks the end of the traditional chain gang system.
thursday Night Football Scheduling Versatility Increased
The NFL has adjusted the notification period required for flexing Thursday Night Football games between weeks 13 and 17. Previously, the league was required to provide 28 days’ notice. Owners voted to reduce this window to 21 days, giving the league more flexibility in scheduling prime-time matchups.
Teams to Wear Throwback Jerseys Four Times per Season
Teams are now permitted to wear throwback or alternate uniforms up to four times per season, an increase from the previous limit of three. Moreover, teams can wear alternate pants during playoff games, and alternate helmets can be paired with regular jerseys, adding more variety to on-field aesthetics.
Will the new overtime rules impact a team’s strategy if they win the coin toss?
NFL Owners Approve Overtime Changes, Touchback Adjustments, and More
March 26, 2024
NFL owners, convening for their annual league meeting on Tuesday, approved meaningful changes to overtime rules, touchback placement, video review, and more. While a decision on the “tush push” play was deferred, several key adjustments were greenlit for the upcoming seasons.
Overtime Period Shortened, Ensuring Possession for Both Teams
In a move to align regular season and playoff overtime rules, the owners voted to ensure both teams get a possession in overtime, even if the first team scores a touchdown.Though, the regular season overtime period will be shortened to 10 minutes.
Touchbacks Move to the 35-Yard Line
Starting in the 2025 season,touchbacks will be advanced from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line. The change aims to incentivize teams to return kickoffs, anticipating that the return rate will more than double, increasing from this season’s rate to approximately 65-75%. The league hopes this will lead to more exciting plays and reduce the number of automatic touchbacks.
Video Review Expanded to Include More Penalties
The scope of video review has been broadened to include five additional penalties: hitting a defenseless player, facemask infractions, horse-collar tackles, and roughing the kicker. Importantly, video review will onyl be used to overturn penalties that were initially called on the field.
Hawk-Eye Technology to Replace Chain Gang for First Down Measurements
In 2025, the NFL will fully implement Sony’s Hawk-Eye technology as the primary method for validating first downs. Following prosperous testing in 2024, the league is confident in the system’s accuracy and efficiency. This transition marks the end of the conventional chain gang system.
Thursday Night Football Scheduling Versatility Increased
The NFL has adjusted the notification period required for flexing Thursday Night Football games between weeks 13 and 17. Previously, the league was required to provide 28 days’ notice. Owners voted to reduce this window to 21 days,giving the league more flexibility in scheduling prime-time matchups.
teams to Wear Throwback Jerseys Four Times per Season
Teams are now permitted to wear throwback or alternate uniforms up to four times per season,an increase from the previous limit of three. Moreover, teams can wear alternate pants during playoff games, and alternate helmets can be paired with regular jerseys, adding more variety to on-field aesthetics.
Q&A: Unpacking the NFL Rule Changes
Q: How does the new overtime rule work?
A: In the regular season,the overtime period is shortened to 10 minutes.Both teams are guaranteed a possession, even if the first team scores a touchdown. This mirrors playoff rules, ensuring a fairer chance for both teams to score.
Q: Why are touchbacks being moved to the 35-yard line?
A: The NFL hopes to boost kickoff returns! By making the field position more advantageous for the receiving team after a touchback, the league aims to increase the return rate, leading to more exciting plays and potentially reducing the number of touchbacks.
Q: What penalties can now be reviewed using video?
A: The expanded video review includes penalties for hitting a defenseless player,facemask infractions,horse-collar tackles,and roughing the kicker. However, video review will only be used to *overturn* calls made on the field, not initiate a penalty.
Q: What is hawk-Eye technology,and why is it being used?
A: Hawk-Eye is a camera-based system used to accurately determine the location of the football. It’s designed to replace the chain gang for first down measurements,offering more precise results and faster validation. It’s been tested and proven effective during the 2024 season.
Q: How much more flexible is the Thursday Night Football schedule?
A: The window for flexing Thursday Night Football games between weeks 13 and 17 has been reduced from 28 days to 21 days’ notice. This gives the NFL more flexibility to schedule attractive prime-time matchups based on team performance.
Q: What about the “tush push”?
A: The “tush push,” or the quarterback sneak with a push from teammates, was *not* addressed. decision was deferred.
Q: How many times can teams wear alternate uniforms?
A: Teams can now wear throwback or alternate uniforms up to four times per season, an increase from the previous limit of three. Also,alternate pants can be worn during playoff games,and alternate helmets can be paired with regular jerseys.
Q: Any fun facts?
A: This season, expect to see coaches challenged more frequently. New rules will allow for more challenges per game, making for more strategical use of challenges.
These exciting changes promise to reshape the NFL landscape. Stay tuned for the impact of these new rules as the next season kicks off!
