rules

A slow flag is not always a bad flag

by Mark Schultz - September 30, 2018September 30, 2018 0

http://gty.im/869156920 If you watch a game, there are times you may notice that officials take a few extra moments to throw a flag after the infraction takes place. Sometimes people comment that "theÂ flag was pretty late." But many times the official throws a late flag because they are weighing the impact

Centralized replay could take active role in ejecting, un-ejecting players next year

by Mark Schultz - May 22, 2018May 23, 2018 0

Embed from Getty Images Look for the NFL centralized replay, under senior vice president of officiating Al Riveron, to take a more active role in ejecting and un-ejecting players in the 2018 season. Update: NFL owners voted on the proposal in Atlanta and was passed on May 22. The idea of un-ejecting a

NCAA kickoff rule proposal may drive one more nail in the coffin corner

by Mark Schultz - March 6, 2018May 9, 2018 0

Note: The proposed rule was passed on April 13, 2018. The original post appears below. The NCAA Football Rules Committee has proposal a rule that is the next step into eliminating almost all kickoff returns. The change would allow for a receiving team to fair catch a kickoff inside the 25-yard line

Kickoff touchbacks will be at the 25 for another year

2017 rule changes

by Mark Schultz - September 9, 2017September 9, 2017 0

Embed from Getty Images The NFL is extending a temporary rule this year that moves kickoff touchbacks to the 25. All other touchbacks (punts into and defensive recoveries into the end zone) will come out to the 20. This was an experimental rule for 2016, and the owners voted to extend that

The science of building good NFL crews

by Mark Schultz - May 2, 2017May 2, 2017 0

Embed from Getty Images Â As NFL officials prepare for their mini-clinic in May, the NFL officiating office is building 17 officiating crews. Exiting senior vice president for officiating Dean Blandino will oversee the rest of the offseason (which ends May 15 for officials), so he has a say in the crew

Competition committee focuses on safety, sportsmanship and replay

News

by Mark Schultz - March 7, 2017March 6, 2017 3

Embed from Getty Images Â The NFL Competition Committee is considering having officials eject players for flagrant hits, cracking down on celebrations and taking the next step in instant replay technology. The committee met last week to consider modifying rules to improve the game.Â If the Competition Committee recommends any rule changes, the owners

No mercy in the NFL

Rules School

by Mark Schultz - September 24, 2016September 24, 2016 0

Embed from Getty Images Â Teams play all 60 minutes no matter the score College football made some news last week as Clemson played South Carolina State in an early season game where the haves play the have-nots. The game got so lopsided that both teams agreed to shorten the quarters and not

Back to basics: The foundation of good officiating

Mechanics

by Mark Schultz - December 5, 2015December 5, 2015 7

View image | gettyimages.com The individual and collective psyche of NFL officials may be shaken after several rough games in the 2015 season. There are a few techniques that officials can use to help break out of real or perceived slump. One of the best techniques is getting back to the

Extra point rule changes aren’t dead yet – owners to reconsider in May

News
Survey

by Mark Schultz - April 1, 2015March 31, 2015 6

Extra point rule changes are a solution in search of a problem Commentary by Mark Schultz At the recently concluded NFL Competition Committee meetings, the committee proposed to change the extra point rules (PAT), but tabled any votes on the subject when members could not reach a consensus.Â The NFL will reconsider

Walt Anderson’s crew checked all footballs before AFC Championship Game

by Mark Schultz - January 21, 2015January 22, 2015 13

Crew followed standard procedure to prepare footballs for the game The past 24 hours have featured a media frenzy where the New England Patriots are accused of deflating the game balls to better suit quarterback Tom Brady in the wet weather.Â The NFL is investigating the matter. By rule, footballs need to