When the XFL kicks off next month in Washington, league executives hope fans see a product with “less stall and more ball.”
The XFL announced 15 notable rule changes from traditional NFL rules, some billed as “gameplay innovations” and others focused on timing, aimed at making the game faster and more action-packed.
But the most eye-catching difference is the introduction of a double-forward pass.
“If a team completes a forward pass behind the line of scrimmage, that team may throw a second forward pass, as long as the ball has at no time crossed the line of scrimmage,” the rule says.
Several other rule tweaks focus on special teams, including the elimination of point-after-touchdown kicks. The XFL replaced them with a three-tiered system to score one, two or three points after a touchdown. A team can score one extra point if the offense reaches the end zone from the 2-yard line, two extra points if they start from the 5 or three extra points if they start from the 10.
The XFL’s overtime will mimic a soccer or hockey shootout, where each team’s offense will get five single-play possessions from the defense’s 5-yard line to try to reach the end zone. The team with more points after five tries apiece is the winner, and if it’s tied, the shootout will keep going until one side separates itself.
Receivers will only need one foot in bounds, not both, in order for a reception to along the sidelines to count. The league feels there will be a reduced rate of injury if receivers aren’t attempting to stick both feet down at awkward angles before moving out of bounds.
The league will use a 25-second play clock rather than a 40-second one. Each team will have two timeouts per half rather than three, and halftime will last just 10 minutes.
The XFL kicks off on Feb. 8 when the D.C. Defenders host the Seattle Dragons at Audi Field.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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