new rules

Rule loophole closed on out-of-bounds receivers

2016 rule changes

by Football Zebras staff - August 30, 2016January 17, 2019 4

Embed from Getty Images Â 2016 rule changes A loophole in the catch rules for receivers that step out of bounds was closed by one of the rule changes that will take effect in 2016. If a receiver that stepped out of bounds during the course of the play was unable to re-establish

Officials will (rarely) eject players on 2 unsportsmanlike fouls

2016 rule changes

by Football Zebras staff - August 8, 2016January 17, 2019 5

Embed from Getty Images 2016 rule changes Player safety and sportsmanship have always been a high priority, but now there is one more tangible way that the NFL will attempt to enforce this on the field. In 2016, players will not only have to worry about fines, but ejection if they commit

With goal of reducing kickoff returns, NFL sets touchback spot at 25

2016 rule changes

by Cameron Filipe - August 6, 2016 10

Embed from Getty ImagesÂ 2016 rule changesIn an effort to make the kickoff a play less prone to injury, the touchback spot has been moved up five yards to the 25-yard line. In addition to the new automatic disqualification rule, the modified touchback rule is only in effect as a trial

Preseason games not mundane for officials

News

by Mark Schultz - August 9, 2013August 9, 2013 0

Crews need the preseason prep Dolphins coach Joe Philbin has a discussion with Tom Hill, John Parry (132), and Scott Edwards during the 2013 Hall of Fame Game. Even the most rabid fan of the NFL will admit that watching a preseason game from start to finish isÂ a chore. Â The first string

Officials address rules changes, questions at training camps

by Ben Austro - August 4, 2013August 4, 2013 2

After Further Review: Training Camp edition Partial officiating squads traveled to training camps this week to explain the new rules and answer questions about interpretations. Bill Leavy was in Rams camp with FJ Boris Cheek, HL John McGrath, SJ Keith Parham. Also, HL Patrick Turner from the league's developmental squad was in

Umpire position moved starting with Hall of Fame game

Rules School

by Ben Austro - August 8, 2010November 1, 2014 0

The NFL has ramped up its policy on avoiding concussions, and the policy has not excluded the referees. With high speed collisions involving the umpire position, the NFL has permanently moved the umpire to the offensive backfield, nine years after a pilot program of the switch was tried in the

NFL APPROVES EXTRA-INNINGS OT

News

by Ben Austro - March 23, 2010January 4, 2011 0

1st major modification in league history Yes, that headline is screaming. And for good reason. The NFL now can't simply resolve a tie game much like Major League Baseball (if necessary, play till 5 a.m. to resolve .006Â percentage points in the standings), the NHL (after five minutes, go to a

Clock may be reviewable for ’09 playoffs

News

by Ben Austro - December 17, 2009December 17, 2009 0

Usually we will give a complete rundown of the "Official Review" segment from the NFL officiating department, but we wanted to advance the news out of that segment to its own post first. A tip-off to a rare midseason rule change was dropped as vice-president of officiating Mike Pereira (video) was

Head of refs announces new mechanics in wake of administrative errors

News

by Ben Austro - November 19, 2009November 20, 2009 0

This point from the weekly "Official Review" segment deserved a post as a newsworthy item in its own right. Mike Pereira, the league's vice-president of officiating, addressed three critical administrative errors in Week 10, which we discussed in length. (video, discussion of new mechanics at 6:10) One of the errors has