Blogging the NFL Rule Book: 2010 Changes

The NFL made many changes to its rulebook in the offseason, ranging from the truly irrelevant (all uses of the word "signalled" were changed to "signaled") to the clarifying ("An incomplete pass is a loss of down, and the ball returns to the previous spot" was added, even though the rulebook states elsewhere that "the down end[s] ... when an forward pass ... is incomplete" and "the ball is next put it play at the previous spot if ... a forward pass falls incomplete") to the game-changing (playoff games can no longer be won in overtime merely by taking the overtime kickoff and driving for a field goal). The significant and/or interesting changes to the NFL rulebook are detailed below. Significant changes to the 2010 NFL rule book: Rule Topic 2010 2009 Reasoning/Impact 3-15-1-Note 2 Ball In Touch and Impetus A ball in the end zone which is carried toward the field of play is still in touch. It is a safety or touchback if any part of the ball is on, above, or behind the goal line (plane) when dead. In such a case, the ball must be entirely in the field of play in order not to be in touch. [new rule in 2010] Clarification. 4-6-3-c Interruption of Play Clock If the play clock is stopped prior to the snap for any reason, after the stoppage has concluded, the time remaining on the play clock shall be the same as when it stopped, unless ... (c) the stoppage has been for an excess timeout while time is in that is charged to the defense, in which case the play clock shall be reset to 40 seconds; If the play clock is stopped prior to the snap for any reason, after the stoppage has concluded, the time remaining on the play clock shall be the same as when it stopped, unless ... [no provision for excess timeouts]. 4-7-2 Substitution Violation After Two-Minute Warning Inside one minute of either half, if there is a violation of the substitution rule while the ball is dead and time is in, in addition to the applicable yardage penalty for illegal substitution, there will be a 10-second runoff pursuant to Article 1 above. After the two-minute warning of either half, if there is a violation of the substitution rule while the ball is dead and time is in, in addition to the applicable yardage penalty for illegal substitution, there will be a 10-second runoff pursuant to Article 1 above. Aligns rule with others providing for 10-second runoffs. 4-7-4 Replay Review In Last Minute If a replay review inside of one minute of either half results in the on-field ruling being reversed and the correct ruling would not have stopped the game clock, then the officials will run 10 seconds off the game clock before permitting the ball to be put in play on the ready-for-play signal. All normal rules regarding 10-second runoffs will apply. [new rule in 2010] Reduces time benefit of replay reviews to trailing/tied offensive team. 4-8-2-b (2009) and 14-1-7-a (2010) Period Extended / Dead Ball Fouls If there is a dead ball personal foul by either team following the end of the second or fourth periods, the penalty yardage will be enforced on the second half kickoff or the kickoff in overtime. If there is a defensive personal foul following the end of the second or fourth periods that occurs in the action immediately after the end of a down, the offensive team may choose to extend the period for an untimed down. [former 4-8-2-d] If there is a personal foul or unsportsmanlike conduct foul that (1) is not in the continuing action immediately after the end of a down and (2) occurs between the end of the second period and the beginning of the third period (or between the end of the fourth period and the beginning of an overtime period), the penalty shall be enforced on the ensuing kickoff. Continuing action personal fouls at the end of the 2nd or 4th quarters no longer lead to untimed downs and are instead enforced on the opening kickoffs of the 3rd quarter or overtime. Note that this applies only to continuing action and dead ball fouls and not to fouls that occur during the play. 5-1-2-c, g, h Players Numbered By Position All players must wear numerals on their jerseys.... Such numerals must be by playing position, as follows: ... (c) centers: 50-79; ... (g) defensive linemen: 50-79 and 90-99; and (h) linebackers: 50-59 and 90-99. All players must wear numerals on their jerseys.... Such numerals must be by playing position, as follows: ... (c) centers: 50-59 (60-79 if 50-59 are unavailable); ... (g) defensive linemen: 60-79 (90-99 if 60-79 are unavailable); and (h) linebackers: 50-59 (90-99 if 50-59 are unavailable). Extends the range of numbers available to centers, defensive linemen, and linebackers. Reflects actual number usage (e.g., Nick Mangold has always worn #74, even though he has always played center and the 2006-2009 Jets have always had at least one number in the 50s available by the start of the regular season.) 5-1-2 Players Numbered By Position If a player changes his position during his playing career in the NFL, and such change moves him from a position as an ineligible pass receiver to that of an eligible pass receiver, or from a position as an eligible pass receiver to that of an ineligible pass receiver, he must be issued an appropriate new jersey numeral. A change in jersey numeral is not required if the change is from an ineligible position to another ineligible position, or from an eligible position to another eligible position, provided that the player has participated at least one season at his position prior to the change. If a player changes his position during his playing career in the NFL, and such change moves him out of a category specified above, he must be issued an appropriate new jersey numeral. If Tim Tebow is eventually moved to fullback or tight end, he can continue to wear #15. If he were moved to tackle, he would need to change to a number between 60 and 79. 5-4-9-b General Appearance [If a uniform violation involves the competitive aspects of the game (e.g., illegal kicking toe of shoe, an adhesive or slippery substance), player will be suspended immediately (removed from the game for one play) upon discovery. [If a uniform violation] involves the competitive aspects of the game (e.g., illegal kicking toe of shoe, an adhesive or slippery substance), player will be suspended immediately upon discovery. Clarifies confusing usage of "suspended" in regards to uniform violations. 7-1-1-d New Series, First-and-10 A new series (first-and-10) is awarded to the offensive team when the following conditions exist; subject, however, to the specific rules of enforcement (Rule 14) ... (d) [w]hen the ball is declared dead in possession of the receiving team after a free kick or scrimmage kick. [new rule in 2010] This wasn't in the rules already? 7-2-2 Position of Players at Snap During a punt, field-goal attempt, or a Try Kick, a Team B player, who is within one yard of the line of scrimmage at the snap, must have his entire body outside the snapper’s shoulder pads. Note: This restriction does not apply if a team does not present an apparent punt, field goal, or Try Kick formation, or if, after the offensive team has assumed a set position, there is a shift, or a player goes in motion. During a field-goal attempt or a Kick Try, a Team B player, who is within one yard of the line of scrimmage at the snap, must have his helmet outside the snapper’s shoulder pads. Extends long snapper protection to punts. 7-4-1-q Dead Ball An official shall declare dead ball and the down ended ... (q) when a runner’s helmet comes completely off. Note: The game clock will not stop when this occurs, and the play clock will be reset to 40 seconds. Penalty enforcement following play is as ordinary for fouls during runs or kicks. [new rule in 2010] This play would be blown dead at the 35. A.R. 7.31 Dead Ball A runner (in full possession of the ball) is contacted by an opponent while he is attempting to gain yardage. The contact causes the runner to hit the ground, at which time the ball comes loose. Ruling: Play is dead when the impact jars the ball loose. No fumble. [new rule in 2010] Codifies "ground can't cause a fumble" rule. Note however that the player must be contacted. The play does not stop when an uncontacted player fumbles upon hitting the ground, as Eli Manning found out Week 14 against the Eagles. 7-3-3 Loose Ball Becomes Dead If a loose ball in play strikes a video board, guide wire, sky cam, or any other object, the ball will be dead immediately, and the down will be replayed at the previous spot. Note 1: If there is not an on-field ruling that the ball struck an object, the Replay Assistant is empowered to initiate a booth review, even if the event occurs prior to the two-minute warning. If, prior to the two-minute warning, no booth review is initiated by the Replay Assistant, a coach’s challenge is permitted under the established rules for such a challenge. Note 2: In the event the down is replayed, the game clock will be reset to the time remaining when the snap occurred. All penalties will be disregarded, except for personal fouls which will be administered prior to the replaying of the down. [new rule in 2010] Codifies temporary rule put into place to deal with the video board at Cowboys Stadium. (1:10 mark) A.R. 8.2 Forward Pass Second-and-18 on A4. A second forward pass from behind A’s goal line is caught by offensive end A1 at the A8, where he is tackled. Ruling: Safety. Safety kick A20 or second-and-20 on A2. Second-and-18 on A4. A second forward pass from behind the line is caught by offensive end A1 in his end zone. He is downed in his end zone. Ruling: Safety. Safety kick A20 or second-and-20 on A2. Clarifies that illegal forward passes thrown from the end zone can result in safeties, regardless of where the ball is caught or where the receiver is tackled. 10-2-2-3 Fair Catch After a valid fair-catch signal, the opportunity to catch a kick does not end if the ball is muffed. The player who signaled for a fair catch must have a reasonable opportunity to catch the muffed ball before it hits the ground without interference by members of the kicking team, and regardless of whether the ball strikes another player or an official. Penalty: For interference with the opportunity to make a fair catch after a muff: A fair catch is awarded at the spot of the interference even if the ball is not caught. After a valid fair-catch signal, the opportunity to catch a kick does not end if the ball is muffed. The player who signaled for a fair catch must have a reasonable opportunity to catch the muffed ball before it hits the ground without interference by members of the kicking team, and regardless of whether the ball strikes another player or an official. [10-1-1-b] Penalt[y] ... [f]or interfering with a fair catch after a signal: Loss of 15 yards from the spot of the foul. A fair catch is awarded even if the ball is not caught. Reduces penalty from 15 yards to 0 yards for fair catch interference that takes place after a kick is muffed but before the ball hits the ground (3:00 mark). Note that the penalty still exists and that the receiving team would get the ball at the spot of the interference (or the spot of the fumble recovery, if the receiving team recovers and that spot is better). 11-2-1-c Touchdown A touchdown is scored when ... (c) a ball in player possession touches the pylon, provided that, after contact by an opponent, no part of the player’s body, except his hands or feet, struck the ground before the ball touched the pylon. A touchdown is scored when ... (c) a ball in player possession touches the pylon, provided that no part of the player’s body, except his hands or feet, struck the ground before the ball touched the pylon; Clarifies rule. 12-1-8-b Illegal Bat A player may not bat or punch ... (b) a loose ball (that has touched the ground) in any direction, if it is in either end zone. A player may not bat or punch ... (b) a loose ball in any direction if it is in either end zone. 12-2-8-f Impermissable Use of Helmet and Facemask [Unnecessary roughness] includes ... [i]f a player uses any part of his helmet (including the top/crown and forehead/”hairline” parts) or facemask to butt, spear, or ram an opponent violently or unnecessarily. Although such violent or unnecessary use of the helmet and facemask is impermissible against any opponent, game officials will give special attention in administering this rule to protecting those players who are in virtually defenseless postures, including but not limited to: (1) Forcibly hitting the defenseless player’s head, neck, or face with the helmet or facemask, regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the defenseless player by encircling or grasping him; or (2) Lowering the head and violently or unnecessarily making forcible contact with the “hairline” or forehead part of the helmet against any part of the defenseless player’s body; or (3) “Launching” (springing forward and upward) into a defenseless player, or otherwise striking him in a way that causes the defensive player’s helmet or facemask to forcibly strike the defenseless player’s head, neck, or face—even if the initial contact of the defender’s helmet or facemask is lower than the defenseless player’s neck. (Examples: a defender buries his facemask into a defenseless player’s high chest area, but the defender’s trajectory as he leaps into the defenseless player causes the defender’s helmet to strike the defenseless player violently in the head or face; or a defender, using a face-on posture or with his head slightly lowered, hits a defenseless player in an area below the defenseless player’s neck, then the defender’s head moves upward, resulting in strong contact by the defender’s mask or helmet with the defenseless player’s head, neck, or face [an example is the so-called “dip and rip” technique]). Note: The provisions of section (f) do not prohibit incidental contact by the mask or noncrown parts of the helmet in the course of a conventional tackle on an opponent. (g) if the initial force of the contact by a defender’s helmet (including facemask), forearm, or shoulder is to the head or neck area of a defenseless player. Note: Defenseless players in (f) and (g) shall include (i) a player in the act of or just after throwing a pass; (ii) a receiver catching or attempting to catch a pass; (iii) a runner already in the grasp of a tackler and whose forward progress has been stopped; (iv) a kickoff or punt returner attempting to field a kick in the air; and (v) a player on the ground at the end of a play. [Unnecessary roughness] includes ... using any part of a player’s helmet (including the top/crown and forehead/“hairline” parts) or facemask to butt, spear, or ram an opponent violently or unnecessarily; although such violent or unnecessary use of the helmet and facemask is impermissible against any opponent, game officials will give special attention in administering this rule to protecting those players who are in virtually defenseless postures (e.g., a player in the act of or just after throwing a pass, a receiver catching or attempting to catch a pass, a runner already in the grasp of a tackler, a kickoff or punt returner attempting to field a kick in the air, or a player on the ground at the end of a play). All players in virtually defenseless postures are protected by the same prohibitions against use of the helmet and facemask that are described in the roughing-the-passer rules (see Article 12, subsection 3 below of this Rule 12, Section 2); Elaborates on protection for defenseless players. 12-2-8-h Defenseless Receiver [Unnecessary roughness] includes ... [i]f a receiver has completed a catch and has not had time to protect himself, a defensive player is prohibited from launching (springing forward and upward) into him in a way that causes the defensive player’s helmet, facemask, shoulder, or forearm to forcibly strike the receiver’s head or neck area—even if the initial contact of the defender’s helmet, facemask, shoulder, or forearm is lower than the receiver’s neck. [Unnecessary roughness] includes ... [i]f the initial force of the contact by a defender’s helmet, forearm, or shoulder is to the head or neck area of a defenseless receiver who is catching or attempting to catch a pass. Extends defenseless receiver protection to inadvertent headshots. 12-2-8-j Impermissable Use of Helmet and Facemask There shall be no unnecessary roughness. This shall include, but will not be limited to ... (j) any player who grabs a helmet opening of an opponent and forcibly twists, turns, or pulls his head. There shall be no unnecessary roughness. This shall include, but will not be limited to ... (i) any player who hooks his fingers under the helmet of an opponent and forcibly twists his head. Aligns rule with that for facemasks. 12-2-13-7 Passer Out of Play A passer who is standing still or fading backwards after the ball has left his hand is obviously out of the play and must not be unnecessarily contacted by the defense through the end of the play or until the passer becomes a blocker, or until he becomes a runner upon taking a lateral from a teammate or picking up a loose ball, or, in the event of a change of possession on the play, until the passer assumes a distinctly defensive position. At any time after the change of possession, if the initial force of the contact by a defender’s helmet (including facemask), forearm, or shoulder is to the head or neck area of the quarterback it is a foul. A passer who is standing still or fading backwards after the ball has left his hand is obviously out of the play and must not be unnecessarily contacted by the defense through the end of the play or until the passer becomes a blocker, or until he becomes a runner upon taking a lateral from a teammate or picking up a loose ball, or, in the event of a change of possession on the play, until the passer assumes a distinctly defensive position. An opponent may not unnecessarily initiate helmet-to-helmet contact to the quarterback at any time after the possession changes. Further protects quarterbacks from headshots, even after changes of possession. 12-3-1-h Removal of Helmet [Unsportsmanlike conduct] includes ... removal of his helmet by a player in the field of play during a celebration or during a confrontation with a game official or any other player. [Unsportsmanlike conduct] includes ... removal by a player of his helmet during or after a play. (Exceptions: The player is not in the game or he is in or has returned to his bench area; or, the player is in the game and a timeout has been called for reasons of injury, television break, charged team time out, or it is between periods. Allows players to remove their helmets on the field without penalty in most situations. Note that Dwayne Rudd's infamous helmet removal in 2002 would likely still be a penalty, as it was part of a celebration. 15-9-Reviewable Plays-c-8 Reviewable Plays Other reviewable plays include ... [the n]umber of players on the field at the snap. Other reviewable plays include ... [the n]umber of players on the field. The participation of players off the field at the snap can not be reviewed. 15-9-Reviewable Plays-Note-6 Reviewable Plays Non-reviewable plays include ... [the r]ecovery of a loose ball that does not involve a boundary line or the end zone. Non-reviewable plays include ... [the r]ecovery of [a] loose ball in the field of play. 16-1-1 Sudden Death Procedures (Regular Season) The sudden-death system of determining the winner shall prevail when the score is tied at the end of the regulation playing time of all preseason and regular-season NFL games.. The sudden-death system of determining the winner shall prevail when the score is tied at the end of the regulation playing time of all NFL games. Playoff overtime no longer first-to-score wins. 16-1-4 Sudden Death Procedures (Postseason) For postseason games, following a coin flip (Article 2 above) and an intermission of no more than three minutes after the end of the regular game, the following shall apply: (a) Both teams must have the opportunity to possess the ball once during the extra period, unless the team that receives the opening kickoff (Team B) scores a touchdown on its initial possession, in which case it is the winner, or Team A scores a safety on Team B’s initial possession, in which case Team A is the winner. (b) If the team that possesses the ball first scores a field goal on its initial possession, the other team (Team A) shall have the opportunity to possess the ball. If Team A scores a touchdown on its possession, it is the winner. If the score is tied after Team A’s possession, the team next scoring by any method shall be the winner. (c) If the score is tied at the end of a 15-minute overtime period, or if Team B’s initial possession has not ended, another overtime period will begin, and play will continue, regardless of how many 15-minute periods are necessary. (d) Between each overtime period, there shall be a two-minute intermission, but there shall be no halftime intermission after the second period. At the beginning of the third overtime period, the captain who lost the coin toss prior to the first overtime period shall have the first choice of the two privileges in Rule 4, Section 2, Article 2, unless the team that won the coin toss deferred. (e) At the end of the first and third extra periods, etc., teams must change goals in accordance with Rule 4, Section 2, Article 3. (f) A player is in possession when he is in firm grip and control of the ball inbounds (3-2-7). The defense gains possession when it catches, intercepts, or recovers a loose ball. (g) The opportunity to possess applies only during kicking plays. A kickoff is the opportunity to possess for the receiving team. If the kicking team legally recovers the kick, the receiving team is considered to have had its opportunity. A punt or field goal that crosses the line of scrimmage and is muffed by the receiving team is considered to be an opportunity to possess for the receiving team. Normal touching rules by the kicking team apply. (h) Each team is entitled to three timeouts during a half. If there is an excess timeout the usual rules shall apply (4-5). (i) At the end of a second overtime period, timing rules shall apply as at the end of the first half. At the end of a fourth overtime period, timing rules shall apply as at the end of the fourth quarter. (j) All replay reviews will be initiated by the replay assistant. Coaches’ challenges will not be allowed. [new rule in 2010] Playoff overtime games can no longer end with the team receiving the kickoff driving for a field goal, as the Saints did in the NFC Championship Game. Broken down: - A touchdown or safety on the opening drive ends the game. - If a field goal is scored on the opening drive, the other team has a possession in which to score a touchdown or a field goal. A touchdown wins the game; a field goal extends the game into sudden death. - Any kickoff, even if the kicking team recovers, counts as a possession for the receiving team, as does a fumbled or muffed punt. - An interception or fumble recovery, even if fumbled back to the other team on the same, counts as a possession. 16-1-5 Sudden Death Procedures Disqualified player(s) shall not re-enter during any extra period or periods in the preseason, regular season, and postseason. [new rule in 2010] Clarification.