Aug. 29, 2012
There will be a few rules changes that will impact college football this fall, some more recognizable to fans than others.
Kickoffs
The most noticeable change made by the Football Rules Committee will come on kickoffs. Teams will now kick from the 35-yard line, five yards closer than previous years, with the intent being to limit injuries on kickoff returns with more teams opting for a touchback.
Kick returners will also be encouraged to take touchbacks on free kicks (kickoffs and punts after a safety) with the ball moving out to the 25-yard line as opposed to the 20. Touchbacks on other plays, such as punts that go into the end zone or fumbles that go out of the end zone, will remain at the 20.
How the change to the kickoff rules will impact the game is unknown. But there is no doubt it is on the minds of Vanderbilt’s coaching staff.
“The way we’ll approach the kickoff is to not be greedy,” Head Coach James Franklin said. “If we feel we can kick it into the end zone and get the touchback, we’ll probably do that, especially if we think a team has a guy that’s really dangerous. You have to weigh the risk of them returning it for a touchdown versus the extra five yards they’re getting in field position.”
Receiving players will also have the opportunity to fair catch an onside kick, even after it has taken one bounce. For reference, these are the kicks that are pounded into the ground immediately after leaving the tee and spring high into the air. Additionally, on an onside kick that bounces just once, a member of the kicking team cannot jump in front of a receiving and catch the ball. Contact with the receiving player or snatching the ball away is a 15-yard penalty.
One additional change for teams kicking off is that players cannot line up beyond the 30-yard line, thus limiting the running start players receive.
The changes were enacted after the Football Rules Committee examined NCAA data showing that injuries during kickoffs occur more often than in other phases of the game.
Helmet Safety
Another safety rule that was implemented penalizes players for losing their helmet. Unless the helmet is lost because of a foul by the opponent (i.e. face mask), the player must leave the game and is not allowed to participate in the next snap. Further, if a player loses his helmet, he may finish the football action he is involved with, but then must stop participatimg in the play. Should a player continue to participate without their helmet, they will be flagged for a 15-yard penalty.
If the player carrying the ball loses his helmet, the play will be whistled dead immediately. Current injury timeout rules guard against using this rule to gain an advantage from stopping the clock.
If the ball carrier’s helmet comes off with less than one minute remaining in either half, and that is the only reason the play is being whistled dead, there is a 10-second runoff unless the coach elects to use a timeout.
Blocking
Changes were also made to restrict players from blocking below the waist. Offensive players not in the tackle box at the snap are restricted from blocking below the waist with a few exceptions such as a straight-ahead block.
Punts
Players looking to block a punt are now prohibited from leaping over the “shield” of blockers between the line of scrimmage and punter. The rule only applies inside the tackle box and was enacted to prevent teams from having players leaping in the air, being flipped upside down and landing on their head or shoulders. Teams who violate the rule will be penalized 15 yards and an automatic first down will result from the play.
Punt returners will also have more protection in 2012 with a modified halo. This season there will be a 1-yard protected space in front of punt returners. Defenders cannot also not be within shoulder width on either side of the receiver. This will also be a 15-yard penalty.