CLEVELAND, Ohio – The XFL has been back for two weeks, providing football for fans who don’t want to let go following the Super Bowl.
Those two weeks have also provided a look at the XFL rules we don’t see in the NFL. From kickoffs to overtime, the XFL has tried to show football fans that there are other ways of doing things.
But are any of them better than what the NFL does? Here’s a look at some of the XFL’s unique rules:
Kickoffs
The NFL has made changes to cut down on injuries. The XFL has tried to lessen kickoff injuries as well. While the kicker kicks the ball from his own 30, the return team’s blockers are lined up at their own 30 yard line, facing the kicking team’s coverage players, who are lined up at the 35.
Nobody moves until the returner catches the ball.
Punts
Any punt that results in a touchback, or that goes out of bounds inside the 35, gives the returning team the ball at their own 35. The idea is to entice coaches to go for it on fourth down.
Extra points
XFL teams don’t kick extra points. Instead, they have three options: Score from the 2-yard line for one point, from the 5 for two points, or from the 10 for three points.
Replay review
Coaches are not given challenges in the XFL. Instead, a designated replay official initiates reviews.
Pace of play
The XFL uses a 25-second play clock instead of the NFL’s 40-second clock.
Comeback period
The XFL refers to the final two minutes of the second and fourth quarters as “comeback periods.” When the trailing team has the ball during these times, the clock is stopped after all plays, even those that end in bounds. That clock remains stopped until the ball is spotted and five seconds run off the play clock. The idea is to give an offense more opportunity to score and make for exciting finishes.
Overtime rules
The XFL overtime rules give each team five attempts to score a two-point conversion from the 5-yard line. The team with the most points after each five-play possession is the winner. Also, defensive teams cannot score in the overtime.
One foot in bounds on catches
The idea is to make it easier to determine catches.
Which rules should the NFL adopt? Check out the poll below and let us know what you think. You can vote for as many as you like.
(Don’t see the poll? Click here to vote.)
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