# NFL rule changes **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 10, 2010, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-rule-changes/549837 "2010-08-10T16:16:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-rule-changes/549837/1 "2010-08-10T16:16:12Z")
Watched the exhibition game on Sunday, and there was much talk about moving the refs around and how it impacts the game. Of course, they assumed I already knew about the changes. Which I don’t. Anyone want to tackle that for me? What’s new this year? ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-rule-changes/549837/2 "2010-08-10T16:40:52Z")
There was talk about moving the umpire position from behind the defensive linebackers to behind the offense. This would put him with the head ref behind the offensive backfield. Assuming this is the case, it puts the umpire in a much safer position, and puts him out of the way of thrown balls and running tacklers. The downside is that he has a poorer view of linemen for penalty calls such as holding. My father was a high school level football umpire who set up shop in the thick of things. We’d watch the local highlight show if he came home from a game where he got crunched or piled upon. He liked it, but I’ll have to ask how he feels about the NFL’s change, as he was being occasionally pounded by highschoolers, not modern pro behemoths. Edit: The umpire _is_ being moved, from [here](http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2010/8/9/1613724/2010-nfl-rule-changes-umpire-gets). ---
**Author:** ![FlightlessBird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/cdc98d/32.png) [@FlightlessBird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlightlessBird)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-rule-changes/549837/3 "2010-08-10T16:53:14Z")
Found randomly all over the internet, but never on [nfl.com](http://nfl.com) or something so official. But they look accurate. > [@](#): > > Here is a quick overview of the changes: > \* If a game goes into overtime in the playoffs and the team that wins the coin toss and makes a field goal, then the other team will get the ball and a chance to tie or win the game with a touchdown. If the other team only kicks a field goal then it goes into sudden death overtime where the team that scores first wins. > \* A defenseless player can not be hit in the head or neck area by an opponent who launches himself and uses his helmet, forearm or shoulder to make a hit. Previous rules only protected receivers who couldn’t protect themselves and now it protects all positions. > \* During a field-goal or extra-point attempt, the defensive team can’t position any player on the line directly across from the snapper. Previously, a player needed to have his helmet outside the snapper’s shoulder pads. > \* A dead-ball personal foul on the final play of the second or fourth quarters will cause a 15-yard penalty on the second half or overtime kickoff. Previously in those situations, no penalty was enforced, although players subsequently could be fined by Goodell. > \* If a punt returner makes a fair-catch signal and muffs the ball, he is entitled to “reasonable opportunity” to recover before it hits the ground without interference of the coverage team. The ball will be rewarded at the spot of the interference, but there will be no penalty yardage marked off. > \* When a ball strikes a videoboard (as one punt did last preseason at the new Cowboys Stadium), guide wire or sky cam, the play is whistled dead and replayed. The game clock is reset to when that play started. The replay judge will be allowed to initiate a review if he believes there was some sort of interference with the ball. This is the only case outside of the final two minutes of the second and fourth quarters and overtime that the booth can order a replay.Coaches also can challenge whether there was interference with the ball. > \* If the clock is stopped in the final minute of either half for a replay review but wouldn’t have stopped without the review, officials will run off 10 seconds before resuming play. Either team could take a timeout to void the 10-second runoff. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-rule-changes/549837/4 "2010-08-10T17:03:53Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > The downside is that he has a poorer view of linemen for penalty calls such as holding. Another downside, mentioned in the video, is that it will take longer to spot the ball for the next snap. So, in the final 2:00, the umpire will be behind the defense. ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-rule-changes/549837/5 "2010-08-10T19:51:11Z")
Interesting. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-rule-changes/549837/6 "2010-08-10T19:59:43Z")
- If a punt returner makes a fair-catch signal and muffs the ball, he is entitled to “reasonable opportunity” to recover before it hits the ground without interference of the coverage team. The ball will be rewarded at the spot of the interference, but there will be no penalty yardage marked off. I don’t like the open-ended nature of the term “reasonable opportunity” in this rule. I always thought that if a PR muffed a punt whether he was fair-catching or not that it was immediately a fumble. It seems unfair to the coverage team that hauls ass down the field and are right there in front of or otherwise around the fair-catching returner (without touching him) to be denied the opportunity to immediately recover a muffed punt. I mean seriously…the defenders have to wait around a bit while the returner scrabbles to recover the ball after failing to catch it (assuming it touches some part of him)? This doesn’t make sense to me. Also, as to the umpire now being behind the offense and the implication that it will result in more difficulty identifying holding, can’t the linesmen call that penalty (and often do)? They have the best view of the lines clashing, and it isn’t like they move too terribly much. I’m in favor of moving the umpire as I’ve seen too many times the ump interfering with play in some way (or being drilled). I often wondered if offenses had some plays drawn up where they try to use the ump as an unwilling blocker or something. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-rule-changes/549837/7 "2010-08-10T20:32:54Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > … > Also, as to the umpire now being behind the offense and the implication that it will result in more difficulty identifying holding, can’t the linesmen call that penalty (and often do)? They have the best view of the lines clashing, and it isn’t like they move too terribly much. I’m in favor of moving the umpire as I’ve seen too many times the ump interfering with play in some way (or being drilled). I often wondered if offenses had some plays drawn up where they try to use the ump as an unwilling blocker or something. In a 7-man crew, the four guys on the sides (Head linesman, line judge, field judge and side judge) all key on position players, not guys in the trenches. That’s what the umpire is there to do. ([More about individual responsibilities](http://football.about.com/cs/football101/a/bl_officials.htm).) There are definitely “pick” plays where a crossing route is run in the vicinity of the umpire. I’ve also seen a route-runner run into the umpire, so it works both ways. ---
**Author:** ![President\_Johnny\_Gentle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@President\_Johnny\_Gentle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/President_Johnny_Gentle)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-rule-changes/549837/8 "2010-08-11T01:51:19Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > - If a punt returner makes a fair-catch signal and muffs the ball, he is entitled to “reasonable opportunity” to recover before it hits the ground without interference of the coverage team. The ball will be rewarded at the spot of the interference, but there will be no penalty yardage marked off. > > I don’t like the open-ended nature of the term “reasonable opportunity” in this rule. I always thought that if a PR muffed a punt whether he was fair-catching or not that it was immediately a fumble. It seems unfair to the coverage team that hauls ass down the field and are right there in front of or otherwise around the fair-catching returner (without touching him) to be denied the opportunity to immediately recover a muffed punt. > > I mean seriously…the defenders have to wait around a bit while the returner scrabbles to recover the ball after failing to catch it (assuming it touches some part of him)? This doesn’t make sense to me. I read that as once it hits the ground, it’s fair game. Also, if it’s batted back into the air, that would seem to have met the “reasonable opportunity” window, although that’s not something I expect we’ll see too many times. All-in-all, it seems to me to be a reasonable concession to the safety of the returner. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-rule-changes/549837/9 "2010-08-11T03:16:51Z")
One change I completely disagree with is “if a player loses their helmet, the play is instantly whistled dead.” I agree that it’s safer to stop the play, but this is rife with the possibility of abuse. If the other team intercepts the ball and is heading for a TD, I rip off my helmet and force the ref to call the play dead. ---
**Author:** ![President\_Johnny\_Gentle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@President\_Johnny\_Gentle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/President_Johnny_Gentle)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-rule-changes/549837/10 "2010-08-11T03:34:32Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > One change I completely disagree with is “if a player loses their helmet, the play is instantly whistled dead.” I agree that it’s safer to stop the play, but this is rife with the possibility of abuse. If the other team intercepts the ball and is heading for a TD, I rip off my helmet and force the ref to call the play dead. I hadn’t heard about that rule, and went to look it up. There doesn’t seem to be much info, but according to [this blog](http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2010/8/10/1615408/2010-nfl-rule-changes-when-a) it only applies to the ball carrier, which makes a certain amount of sense. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-rule-changes/549837/11 "2010-08-11T03:39:40Z")
> [@President\_Johnny\_Gentle](#): > > > [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > > > - If a punt returner makes a fair-catch signal and muffs the ball, he is entitled to “reasonable opportunity” to recover before it hits the ground without interference of the coverage team. The ball will be rewarded at the spot of the interference, but there will be no penalty yardage marked off. > > > > I don’t like the open-ended nature of the term “reasonable opportunity” in this rule. I always thought that if a PR muffed a punt whether he was fair-catching or not that it was immediately a fumble. It seems unfair to the coverage team that hauls ass down the field and are right there in front of or otherwise around the fair-catching returner (without touching him) to be denied the opportunity to immediately recover a muffed punt. > > > > I mean seriously…the defenders have to wait around a bit while the returner scrabbles to recover the ball after failing to catch it (assuming it touches some part of him)? This doesn’t make sense to me. > > **I read that as once it hits the ground, it’s fair game.** Also, if it’s batted back into the air, that would seem to have met the “reasonable opportunity” window, although that’s not something I expect we’ll see too many times. All-in-all, it seems to me to be a reasonable concession to the safety of the returner. Then why the rule? Seems like this is the same as it otherwise would be. ---
**Author:** ![President\_Johnny\_Gentle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@President\_Johnny\_Gentle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/President_Johnny_Gentle)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-rule-changes/549837/12 "2010-08-11T03:49:12Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Then why the rule? Seems like this is the same as it otherwise would be. You’re right, and I was wrong. This Youtube clip is an explanation from [Walt Coleman](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBJmqw7s4vg). He explains the difference is that before, it was fair catch interference, so a 15 yard penalty on the kicking team. Now, there’s no 15 yard penalty. ---
**Author:** ![Chanteuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de053/32.png) [@Chanteuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chanteuse)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2010, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-rule-changes/549837/13 "2010-08-12T14:15:35Z")
> [@President\_Johnny\_Gentle](#): > > > [@Superhal](#): > > > > One change I completely disagree with is “if a player loses their helmet, the play is instantly whistled dead.” I agree that it’s safer to stop the play, but this is rife with the possibility of abuse. If the other team intercepts the ball and is heading for a TD, I rip off my helmet and force the ref to call the play dead. > > I hadn’t heard about that rule, and went to look it up. There doesn’t seem to be much info, but according to [this blog](http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2010/8/10/1615408/2010-nfl-rule-changes-when-a) it only applies to the ball carrier, which makes a certain amount of sense. Yes, it does, but now we won’t be seeing any more exciting runs like [this one.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCVy8sVqBm4) Oh, well, that’s what we have YouTube for! ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f08c70/32.png) [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Brother_Walker)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-rule-changes/549837/14 "2010-08-19T02:47:19Z")
Agreeing that the run by Jason Witten shows how big his stones are, but I agree that if the \*ball carrier or a player actively involved in the play as it occurs \*loses his helmet that the play should be stopped dead. Not because some random joe who got beat on the play way back upfield wants to cry Nancy foul. Another point: I thought that NFL players were not allowed to remove their helmet while on the field, regardless of before, during or after a play. They are only allowed to remove their helmets while on the sidelines, or if injured, but this would require an injury time out. Removing your helmet on purpose is a penalty. Right? ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-rule-changes/549837/15 "2010-08-19T13:25:43Z")
> [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](#): > > Agreeing that the run by Jason Witten shows how big his stones are, but I agree that if the \*ball carrier or a player actively involved in the play as it occurs \*loses his helmet that the play should be stopped dead. Not because some random joe who got beat on the play way back upfield wants to cry Nancy foul. > > Another point: I thought that NFL players were not allowed to remove their helmet while on the field, regardless of before, during or after a play. They are only allowed to remove their helmets while on the sidelines, or if injured, but this would require an injury time out. Removing your helmet on purpose is a penalty. Right? Sure, but you’d take a penalty if it prevents a sure TD for the other team, right? ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f08c70/32.png) [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Brother_Walker)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-rule-changes/549837/16 "2010-08-19T18:20:32Z")
Well, I’d probably try, but the idea of the rule is for player safety. I think some schmo way backfield taking his helmet off away from the play would not negate a real interception or runback or something like that. Maybe a misconduct foul to be enforced after the play, maybe, but not a deal breaker. ---
**Author:** ![FlightlessBird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/cdc98d/32.png) [@FlightlessBird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlightlessBird)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-rule-changes/549837/17 "2010-08-19T18:38:55Z")
The play won’t get called dead unless it’s the ‘ball carrier’ who has his helmet removed. Taking your helmet off on the field behind the play (or in celebration as that rule was intended to stop) will still result in a penalty, but after the play. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-rule-changes/549837/18 "2010-08-19T18:59:51Z")
If the QB is about to get sacked, he should rip his own helmet off. 😉 ETA: I guess they would spot the ball at the dead ball whistle? Better to throw the ball at the Cowboys’ video board. I don’t care what stadium you’re in! It’s big enough. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-rule-changes/549837/19 "2010-08-23T20:45:15Z")
> [@](#): > > - During a field-goal or extra-point attempt, the defensive team can’t position any player on the line directly across from the snapper. Previously, a player needed to have his helmet outside the snapper’s shoulder pads. I don’t understand. Is this supposed to be more lenient for the defense? I.e., can a player have his helmet inside the snapper’s shoulders as long as he’s not exactly in line with him? What is the purpose of this rule? If it’s to protect the snapper, one would think it should apply to puts not to mention shot-gun formation. I sure hope it’s not to make FGs and extra points harder to block. Those are some of the more unexpected moments. Also out of curiosity, if they throw a flag for this and it turns out to be a fake field goal is the flag picked up? ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-rule-changes/549837/20 "2010-08-24T02:03:49Z")
> [@OldGuy](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > - During a field-goal or extra-point attempt, the defensive team can’t position any player on the line directly across from the snapper. Previously, a player needed to have his helmet outside the snapper’s shoulder pads. > > I don’t understand. Is this supposed to be more lenient for the defense? I.e., can a player have his helmet inside the snapper’s shoulders as long as he’s not exactly in line with him? > > What is the purpose of this rule? If it’s to protect the snapper, one would think it should apply to puts not to mention shot-gun formation. I sure hope it’s not to make FGs and extra points harder to block. Those are some of the more unexpected moments. > > Also out of curiosity, if they throw a flag for this and it turns out to be a fake field goal is the flag picked up? There is a big difference between a true long snapper and a shotgun snap. A long snapper looks between his legs while snapping and is, in general, exposed to injury during and immediately after snapping. One of the changes this year is that the rule applies to punt formations as well. The penalty applies if the offensive team lines up in a kicking formation, whether or not an actual kick takes place. [See here for more info](http://blog.longsnap.com/?p=761). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-rule-changes/549837.md?page=2)