The NCAA is considering five significant rule changes to be instituted for the 2012 college football season. The Playing Rules Oversight Panel meets Tuesday, February 21 to discuss and eventually determine if the proposed changes will be put into effect. in force or not.
The NCAA Rules Committee, a 13-member board made up of coaches and athletic directors representing all divisions, met just weeks ago to propose the changes. Contrary to popular belief, the proposed changes are written by coaches and officials, not the NCAA. Once the committee discusses rule changes, a proposal is sent to all NCAA members as well as all conference umpiring teams.
Rule changes are introduced on a two-year cycle, so the change will take effect in the second year. This allows the coaching staff to introduce the rule in the first year and train their players on the new rule that would come into effect in the second year.
Any rule changes related to player safety can bypass the two-year transition period and take effect immediately. The five changes proposed for 2012 have to do with player safety and, if confirmed, would become part of next season’s rulebook.
Here is a summary of the current proposed rule changes for 2012.
Moved kickoff and touchback start lines
Teams would start from the 35-yard line instead of the 30-yard line. Kick coverage teams must be within five yards of the 35-yard line at the time of the kick. Therefore, coverage players are prevented from building up speed and momentum before the kick. Kicks that are not returned out of the end zone will be placed at the 25-yard line instead of the 20-yard line. The Rules Committee is trying to encourage the touchback because of a study that shows more injuries occur on kickoff than in any other phase of the game. .
Loss of the helmet during the game.
Studies showed that players would lose their helmet an average of two times per game. In the essence of safety, any helmet loss during a play will be treated as an injury. The player who loses his helmet will not be able to participate in the next play. Also, once a player loses his helmet during a play, he must not continue to participate in that play. For those who think that losing the helmet can stop the clock in crucial situations, the injury time-out rules already protect against such plays as a means of stopping the clock.
Lock below the waist
Rules related to below-the-waist blocking will be clarified to allow all players lined up in the tackle box at the snap (and not in motion) to block below the waist without restriction. All other players cannot block below the waist, however there are some exceptions.
Shield block on clearances
More and more teams use the “Shield” punt protection, where three blockers line up shoulder to shoulder in front of the kicker in an attempt to avoid a blocked punt. The defenders responded by jumping on the blockers. Studies showed that many of these defenders would turn around and land headfirst on the field. To protect these players, the new rule will be similar to the one used for spot shots. Players cannot jump over a blocker, however they can jump directly into the air or between two blockers.
Additional protection for kick returns
Kick returners will receive extra protection when kicking. Returns must complete the catch before the kicking team can make contact. The rule will be subject to official interpretation, but the rule change was proposed to ensure that a coverage player does not have a “free throw” on a punt punt or an unprotected kick returner.
It appears that each of these proposed changes will be approved by the Oversight Panel and instituted for the upcoming season. With respect to safety issues, the NCAA, the Rules Committee, and the Oversight Panel typically agree and affirm any proposed changes.
For more information on the rule changes and the results of the Oversight Panel’s February 21 meeting, visit http://www.ncaa.org.