Rules School

Mob rule: USFL and XFL revise touchback rule on fumbles to give the ball back to the offense

by Ben Austro - February 14, 2023February 14, 2023 4

For decades, it was just the rule. The most prominent example of the rule was Super Bowl XXVII. Cowboys defensive end Leon Lett was about to return a Bills fumble for a touchdown and set a high-score record in a Super Bowl. Bills receiver Don Beebe sprinted after Lett, forcing

Rules school: What replay assist can and can’t do

Rules School

by Ben Austro - February 12, 2023February 12, 2023 0

After a few controversial situations in the championship games, there are some misconceptions on the role of the replay official and how they conduct expedited reviews or assist in correcting calls in real time. This is a quick primer on replay's functions as they have evolved in the last two

After review, a reversal. NFL won't allow a holder to elevate a teed kickoff ball

by Ben Austro - December 14, 2022January 25, 2023 0

The Raiders sought clarification on an unusual tactic for kickoffs. After initially granting approval, the league has reversed course on the rule interpretation it issued. Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson found a way to get a little extra elevation by having a teammate hold the ball while it was on the tee.

Rules review video: getting away with feigning injury, late subs, and receivers out of bounds

Rules School

by Ben Austro - September 17, 2022September 17, 2022 0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEm3RT4TeKw 2022 rules review video #2 National coordinator of football officials Steve Shaw posted his second weekly video this season addressing rules and interpretations in college football. Shaw again presented statistics on targeting fouls, saying that the foul occurs in out in 4.8 games on average, a slight increase to the 1-in-4.2 average

Rules review video: unusual fair-catch situation, new low-block rule, and a fumble into the pylon

Rules School

by Ben Austro - September 10, 2022September 10, 2022 0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t2VO8-UKY0 2022 rules review video #1 College football national coordinator of football officials Steve Shaw released his first video of 2022 discussing some rules and interpretations for the benefit of fans and the media: Shaw highlighted the statistics of targeting fouls, noting that there is one targeting foul in about 4.2 games on

USFL Rules School: What rules differ from the NFL?

by Ben Austro - April 16, 2022April 16, 2022 0

Here are a list of the rules the USFL is employing that are different than the NFL rules set. Game timing Halftime is 10 minutes in lengthPlay clock will use 35 seconds, 25 seconds after a stoppageTiming rules for a runner out of bounds apply after the 2-minute warningThe clock stops on

Everything you need to know about the momentum exception rule

Rules School

by Cameron Filipe - February 4, 2022February 4, 2022 0

Embed from Getty Images A turnover in the red zone can be damaging to an offense. All of the hard work exerted on the drive comes to an abrupt halt as the defense takes over. When the goal line and end zone come into play on a change of possession, the

Officials concentrating on edge defenders timing the snap on FG and XP attempts

Rules School

by Rich Madrid - September 5, 2021September 5, 2021 0

In the NFL, speed is king. Pass rushers rely on it to beat their blockers around the edge on high leverage passing downs. Receivers and running backs rely on it to beat their defenders. And special teams units rely on it on the edge to get to the kicker quicker

Faked extra point is good, but it’s worth 0 points

by Ben Austro - August 16, 2021August 17, 2021 0

In the first quarter of their preseason opener, the Buccaneers threw open their playbooks to back section with all of the razzle-dazzle plays. However, they found one play that they can tear out of the book. On an extra-point attempt the Buccaneers opened up with a spread formation and punter

Raiders and Chargers know all about the special fumble rule

by Mark Schultz - December 18, 2020December 18, 2020 0

Somewhere in the chill of a north surburban Chicago night, retired NFL referee Jerry Markbreit had to be smiling - or wincing - in the frantic moments of the Raiders-Chargers Week 15 Thursday Night Football game. Referee John Hussey had to apply a rule that Markbreit wishes would have been on