The National Football Foundation has released a primer on the eight most significant NCAA football rules changes enacted prior to the 2013 season. This list includes the infamous “targeting fouls” rule changes – in which players can be ejected from games for hits deemed to be especially vicious.
“We want to protect the game and to help reduce critical injuries with this message: play the game hard but stay away from serious fouls,” says Rogers Redding, national coordinator of college football officiating. “By making changes, we are signaling that the safety of the student-athlete stands at the very top of our list of priorities. The clear intent is to change player behavior.”
Indeed … and that’s the problem. Hitting is a part of college football. It can’t be taken out of the game anymore than calories can be taken out of tailgating.
Another silly rules change? One requiring the color of uniform numerals to “contrast” with the color of a jersey.
“Teams will not be allowed to wear black numbers on black jerseys,” Redding notes.
This is a new rule? Really? Because the last time we checked it has been enforced on several prior occasions – including the University of South Carolina’s 2011 game against Auburn.
Anyway, here are Redding’s eight big rules changes for the upcoming season, courtesy of the National Football Foundation website …
1. Targeting Fouls: Automatic Ejection, Part I:
Players will automatically be disqualified from the game for targeting fouls, including (Rule 9-1-3) targeting and initiating contact with the crown of the helmet, and (Rule 9-1-4) targeting and initiating contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, elbow or shoulder. The foul itself has not changed. These plays have been illegal for a number of years, but the penalty has been stiffened to include automatic ejection plus the 15-yard penalty.
2. Targeting Fouls: Automatic Ejection, Part II:
A player is at great risk of being ejected from the game for a launch (leaving his feet to attack an opponent by an upward and forward thrust of the body to make contact in the head or neck area); a crouch (followed by an upward and forward thrust to attack with contact at the head or neck area); leading (with helmet, forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with contact at the head or neck area); or lowering (the head before attacking by initiating contact with the crown of the helmet).
3. Offensive Blocking Below the Waist Rule:
The rule establishes a zone for the offense that extends seven yards from the snapper toward each sideline and goes five yards into the defensive secondary and in the other direction all the way back to the offensive team’s end line. Within this zone, an offensive back who is stationary inside the tackle box and an offensive lineman inside the seven-yard zone may legally block below the waist until the ball has left the zone. Everyone else on the offensive team may legally block below the waist only if the block is clearly to the front of the opponent. This only-from-the-front rule also holds true for everyone on the offensive team once the ball has left the zone. In addition, no one on the offense is allowed to block below the waist if the block is directed toward his own end line.
4. Expansion of the 10-Second Runoff Rule:
In 2013, if a player is injured within the last minute of a half, and this is the only reason for stopping the clock, the opponent may choose to have 10 seconds subtracted from the game clock. The injured player’s team can preserve the 10 seconds by using a timeout.
5. Player May Remain in the Game Via a Timeout After Helmet Comes Off:
The rule requiring a player to leave the game for one down if his helmet comes off has been modified to allow a player to remain in the game if his team is granted a charged timeout to adjust the player’s helmet.
6. Minimum Time to Spike the Ball for Another Play Set at 3 Seconds:
Teams will need a minimum of three seconds from the referee’s signal to “spike” the ball to allow for another play at the end of a half. Teams must still execute the spike, but they will have a reasonable opportunity for another play. If the clock shows one or two seconds, they will only have enough time to run a play without first spiking the ball.
7. Procedures for Changing Jersey Numbers During a Game:
If a team wants to use a player at two different positions during the game, and they need to change jersey numbers, the player must report to the referee who will in turn announce the change. In addition, two players who play the same position at different times in the game may not wear the same number during the game. For example, two quarterbacks may not both wear number 12.
8. Player Uniform Numerals Must Contrast With the Color of the Jersey:
The color of the jersey number itself must be clearly and obviously in contrast with the jersey, regardless of any border around the number. For example, teams will not be allowed to wear black numbers on black jerseys with a border of a bright color around the numeral; it must clearly contrast with the jersey in and of itself.
18 comments
I don’t really watch football anymore. I watched it when I was younger with my dad, because my dad liked it. I don’t think he would call this stuff football anymore.
I think we called it flag football when I was a kid.
You’re just a miserable wretch, aren’t you?
Nah. Football just gives me gas.
I don’t really watch football anymore. I watched it when I was younger with my dad, because my dad liked it. I don’t think he would call this stuff football anymore.
I think we called it flag football when I was a kid.
You’re just a miserable wretch, aren’t you?
Nah. Football just gives me the vapors.
#6 is a terrible rule. So much for the last second fied goal attempt or Hail Mary.
I agree. This rule effectively shortens the game by a consequential amount, and makes strategic use of timeouts much more important.
#6 is a terrible rule. So much for the last second fied goal attempt or Hail Mary.
I agree. This rule effectively shortens the game by a consequential amount, and makes strategic use of timeouts much more important.
Rule #— Do not attempt to catch a pass with the tip of your middle finger on your left hand. This is why I now have TWO fingernails growing there.
Rule #— Do not attempt to catch a pass with the tip of your middle finger on your left hand. This is why I now have TWO fingernails growing there.
Along with the Pass Interference rule, the punt returner losing his 5 yard punt catch zone, and these other stupid rules; the NCAA is to football; like Putt Putt is to Golf.
Along with the Pass Interference rule, the punt returner losing his 5 yard punt catch zone, and these other stupid rules; the NCAA is to football; like Putt Putt is to Golf.
The Targeting fouls are going to be trouble. I am all for safety, but it is suppose to be football. How are they going to enforce this? Plays happen so fast how do you tell if it was a launching or a helmet to helmet. What if the Offensive player actually tries to avoid the tackle and moves? While the Defense was aiming at his chest he then hits his helmet. It is one thing to hit the QB who is standing in the pocket helmet to helmet. It is another on a receiver or running back in the field who is moving to avoid a tackle. It is time for big time football to leave the NCAA and form an association that is going to bring reasonable regulations.
The Targeting fouls are going to be trouble. I am all for safety, but it is suppose to be football. How are they going to enforce this? Plays happen so fast how do you tell if it was a launching or a helmet to helmet. What if the Offensive player actually tries to avoid the tackle and moves? While the Defense was aiming at his chest he then hits his helmet. It is one thing to hit the QB who is standing in the pocket helmet to helmet. It is another on a receiver or running back in the field who is moving to avoid a tackle. It is time for big time football to leave the NCAA and form an association that is going to bring reasonable regulations.
These rules are to make the game as close to flag football as they can so that the ACC can finally have an even playing field.
These rules are to make the game as close to flag football as they can so that the ACC can finally have an even playing field.