XFL Rules: How is it Different from NFL?

THE XFL returns for its third iteration, and as with previous attempts, there will be some new rules.

This time, led by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Dany Garcia and RedBird Capital Partners, the XFL returns three years after it was disbanded during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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And while the fundamentals of the game won’t differ from those of the NFL or college football, they’ve once again introduced a few changes.

In a press release in December, league president Russ Brandon said, “Our innovative rules are the cornerstone of our league and a clear example of our commitment to moving the game forward.

“These changes will increase possession and scoring chances while staying true to the spirit of the game.”

GAME TIME

Unlike in 2020, the game time is now 35 seconds instead of 25 seconds.

However, that’s still five seconds faster than in the NFL, so the pace of the game should be increased a bit.

kicking off

Unlike the NFL, where there must be a 15-yard gap between the kicking and receiving teams, the XFL only requires a 5-yard gap.

The purpose is to reduce the risk of injury from collisions and give the return team more room in which to operate and encourage returns over touchbacks.

According to XFL, the “average XFL drive started at the 29 yard line compared to the 25 yard line in the NFL,” while “92% kickoff returns in XFL 2.0 compared to 39.6% in the NFL.”

DOUBLE FORWARD PASS

The XFL also allows double forward passes on any given drive – as long as the first was from behind the line of scrimmage.

This differs from the NFL and college football, where forward passes are only allowed once per game.

Should the first pass be dropped, this would also be counted as an incomplete and not a fumble – the same goes for the second pass.

EXTRA POINTS

Another recurring rule change is tiered extra points.

Teams cannot kick an extra point, but can take either one point from the two-yard line, two points from the five-yard line, or three points from the ten-yard line.

This should also encourage more exciting games.

OPTIONS AFTER THE EVALUATION

While the onside kick is still an option, teams can also try converting from their own 25-yard line to fourth and fifteenth.

This is also intended to encourage courageous offensive plays.

INSTANT REPLAYS

The League also introduces a “centralized ‘command center'”.

Here, an incumbent department can re-evaluate one challenge per head coach per game.

According to the league: “Replay can correct obvious errors in unverifiable games, player safety at any point in the game and any issues that significantly affect the outcome of the game in the final five minutes of regulation plus overtime.”

OVER TIME

This is an area where the XFL and NFL differ greatly.

Each team has three attempts to score from the opponent’s five-yard line.

If they score, they only get two points, and whoever finishes those three tries with the highest total wins.

However, if the result remains a tie, they are given further attempts until there is an outright winner – meaning there is no tie.

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