Blogging the NFL Rule Book: 2011 Changes

The NFL made many changes to its rulebook in the offseason, ranging from the truly irrelevant (a reference to the "Rules Committee" was changed to "Competition Committee") to the clarifying (the entire chapter pertaining to plays from scrimmage was rewritten) to the game-changing (kickoffs have been moved forward from the 30 to the 35). The significant and/or interesting changes to the NFL rulebook are detailed below. Significant changes to the 2011 NFL rule book: > Rule Topic 2011 2010 Reasoning/Impact 1-1 Field of Play The surface of the entire Field of Play must be a League-approved shade of green. [new rule in 2011] Prevents eyestrain for television viewers. Forestalls expansion to Boise or Cheney, Washington. Forces teams to paint over ruined fields. 3-2-7 Player Possession To gain possession of a loose ball that has been caught, intercepted, or recovered, a player must have complete control of the ball and have both feet or any other part of his body, other than his hands, completely on the ground inbounds, and maintain control of the ball long enough to perform any act common to the game. Note 1: A player who goes to the ground in the process of attempting to secure possession of a loose ball (with or without contact by an opponent) must maintain control of the ball throughout the process of contacting the ground, whether in the field of play or the end zone. To gain possession of a loose ball that has been caught, intercepted, or recovered, a player must have complete control of the ball and have both feet completely on the ground inbounds or any other part of his body, other than his hands, on the ground inbounds. Note 1: A player who goes to the ground in the process of attempting to secure possession of a loose ball (with or without contact by an opponent) must maintain control of the ball after he touches the ground, whether in the field of play or the end zone. The following four rules all clarify, but do not change, the existing rules on possession or completed catches, largely stemming from the controversial Calvin Johnson non-catch from Week 1 last year. The eventual incomplete ruling would not change had the same play happened in 2011. 8-1-3 Completed or Intercepted Pass A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) if a player, who is inbounds: (a) secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground; and (b) touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands; and (c) maintains control of the ball long enough, after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, to enable him to perform any act common to the game (i.e., maintaining control long enough to pitch it, pass it, advance with it, or avoid or ward off an opponent, etc.). Note 1: It is not necessary that he commit such an act, provided that he maintains control of the ball long enough to do so. A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) if a player, who is inbounds: (a) secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground; and (b) touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands. 8-1-3-Item 1 Player Going to the Ground If a player goes to the ground in the act of catching a pass (with or without contact by an opponent), he must maintain control of the ball throughout the process of contacting the ground, whether in the field of play or the end zone. If he loses control of the ball, and the ball touches the ground before he regains control, the pass is incomplete. If he regains control prior to the ball touching the ground, the pass is complete. If a player goes to the ground in the act of catching a pass (with or without contact by an opponent), he must maintain control of the ball after he touches the ground, whether in the field of play or the end zone. If he loses control of the ball, and the ball touches the ground before he regains control, the pass is incomplete. If he regains control prior to the ball touching the ground, the pass is complete. 8-1-3-Item 2 Sideline Catches If a player goes to the ground out-of-bounds (with or without contact by an opponent) in the process of making a catch at the sideline, he must maintain complete and continuous control of the ball throughout the process of contacting the ground, or the pass is incomplete. If a player goes to the ground out-of-bounds (with or without contact by an opponent) in the process of making a catch at the sideline, he must retain control of the ball throughout the act of falling to the ground and after hitting the ground, or the pass is incomplete. 3-15-3-Note 1 Substitution Violation After Two-Minute Warning If a passive player is pushed or blocked into any kick or fumble, or into a backward pass after it has struck the ground, and if such pushing or blocking is the primary factor that sends such a loose ball in touch, the impetus is by the pusher or blocker, and the pushed (blocked) player will not be considered to have touched the ball. If a player is pushed or blocked into any kick or fumble or into a backward pass after it has struck the ground, and if such pushing or blocking is the primary factor that sends such a loose ball in touch, the impetus is by the pusher or blocker, and the pushed (blocked) player will not be considered to have touched the ball. Clarification - the "passive" (non-blocking) exception was already included in Rule 9-2-4. 4-2-2-a Toss of Coin Unless the winner of the toss defers his choice to the second half, he must choose one of two privileges, and the loser is given the other. The two privileges are: (a) The opportunity to receive the kickoff, or to kick off; or ... Unless the winner of the toss defers his choice to the second half, he must choose one of two privileges, and the loser is given the other. The two privileges are: (a) The opportunity to receive the kickoff; or ... Ability to choose to kick off mistakenly deleted from the rulebook in 2008, when teams were given the additional choice to defer. However, this didn't prevent the 49ers from choosing to kick off in the second half in Week 13 last year (possibly a scorekeeping error). 4-8-2-Exc. 2 Period Extended The half is not extended if: (2) if there is a major-minor double foul (“5 vs. 15”), and the major foul is by the offense, or if the major foul is a dead ball foul by the defense; Note 1: Dead ball personal fouls by either team at the end of a half are enforced on the ensuing kickoff. Note 2: Dead ball unsportsmanlike or taunting fouls by either team at the end of a half are disregarded. The half is not extended if: (2) if there is a major-minor double foul (“5 vs. 15”), and the major foul is by the offense; Note 1 was already Rule 14-1-7-a; Note 2 is new. [The following approved ruling is in the 2011 casebook, but should be removed to conform with the new rule: A.R. 14.206 FOULS BETWEEN HALVES At the end of the first half, or at the end of regulation time of a game going into overtime, one of the coaches or players argues with and shoves an official. Ruling: Unsportsmanlike conduct fouls between halves, or between the end of the regulation game and overtime, are assessed on the kickoff at the start of the second half or overtime. Disqualify the coach or player involved.] 5-36-3 Changes in Position - Helmet Speakers Clubs that have a player whose principal position is as a non-quarterback (e.g., wide receiver, running back) and who also is used as a quarterback from time to time must have two helmets for that player—one with and one without radio components. ... It is not necessary that the offensive player with the speaker in his helmet receive the snap. For special teams’ plays, only one player per team with a receiver will be permitted on the field. The coach-to-player system is not subject to the equity rule. In the event one club experiences a coach-to-Player radio system malfunction or failure, the other club does not have to shut down its system and may continue using it. However, if the coaches’ intercom system has been completely shut down on both sidelines pursuant to the equity rule, all coaches’ headsets must be removed, and radio communications from the sidelines to the field must be conducted by walkie-talkie only. [new rule in 2011] Clarifies the rules regarding the players that may wear radio speakers in their helmets. These rules likely already exist in the NFL Game Operations Manual. 6-1-2-a Restraining Lines - Free Kick The restraining line for the kicking team shall be its 35-yard line for a kickoff .... The restraining line for the kicking team shall be its 30-yard line for a kickoff .... The kickoff spot has been moved up 5 yards. Will almost certainly result in more touchbacks and shorter returns. 6-1-3-a Free Kick Formation When the ball is kicked on a free kick down: After the ball has been made ready for play, all kicking team players other than the kicker must be lined up no more than five yards behind their restraining line. [new rule in 2011] Prevents kickoff gunners from getting long running head starts. Designed to lessen collision speed and reduce injuries. 6-2-3 Free Kick Out of Bounds Penalty: For a kickoff out of bounds: The receiving team may elect to take possession of the ball 25 yards from the spot of the kick or at the out-of-bounds spot. Penalty: For a safety kick out of bounds: The receiving team may elect to take possession of the ball 30 yards from the spot of the kick or at the out-of-bounds spot. Penalty: For a free kick out of bounds: The receiving team may elect to take possession of the ball 30 yards from the spot of the kick or at the out-of-bounds spot. Kickoffs out-of-bounds will still be spotted at the 40-yard-line. Prevents teams with especially poor kickoff coverage units from taking advantage of the new rule by intentionally kicking out-of-bounds. 7-3-3 Forward Part of Ball The forward part of the ball in its position when it is declared dead in the field of play shall be the determining point in measuring any distance gained or lost. The ball shall be rotated so that its long axis is parallel to the sidelines before measuring, while maintaining the forwardmost point. Note: When an airborne player of either team completes a catch or interception inbounds after an opponent has driven him backward, the ball is declared dead, and forward progress is awarded at the spot where the player established firm grip and control of the ball while in the air. [old 7-1-2] The forward part of the ball in its position when declared dead in the field of play shall be taken as the determining point in measuring any distance gained. The ball shall not be rotated when measuring. Measuring a football parallel to the sideline provides a better picture for television. The note is similar to existing Rule 8-1-3-Item 6 covering an airborne receiver carried out of bounds. 7-2-1-c Dead Ball Declared An official shall declare the ball dead and the down ended ... when a quarterback immediately drops to his knee (or simulates dropping to his knee) behind the line of scrimmage. [old 7-4-1-b] An official shall declare dead ball and the down ended ... any time a quarterback immediately drops to his knee (or simulates dropping his knee to the ground) behind the line of scrimmage during the last two minutes of a half. Teams can't run fake kneeldown plays anytime, including before the two-minute warning. 7-6-3-b Restrictions for Snapper It is not necessary that the snap be between the snapper’s legs, but it must be one quick and continuous motion of the hand or hands of the snapper. The ball must leave or be taken from his hands during this motion. [old 7-3-3-b] The impulse [of the the snap] must be given by one quick and continuous motion of hands or hands of snapper. The ball must actually leave or be taken from his hands during this motion. Theoretically allows the center to be facing backwards from the line of scrimmage at the time of the snap. 8-2-1-Item 2 Intentional Grounding - Physical Contact Intentional grounding should not be called if: (a) the passer initiates his passing motion toward an eligible receiver and then is significantly affected by physical contact from a defensive player that causes the pass to land in an area that is not in the direction and vicinity of an eligible receiver; or (b) the passer is out of the pocket, and his passing motion is significantly affected by physical contact from a defensive player that causes the ball to land short of the line of scrimmage. Intentional grounding should not be called if the passer initiates his passing motion toward an eligible receiver and then is significantly affected by physical contact from a defensive player that causes the pass to land in an area that is not in the direction and vicinity of an eligible receiver. Conforms the rule to the existing intentional grounding rules for passers within and out of the pocket. 12-2-1-d Horse Collar All players are prohibited from ... grabbing the inside collar of the back of the shoulder pads or jersey, or the inside collar of the side of the shoulder pads or jersey, and immediately pulling down the runner. This does not apply to a runner who is in the tackle box or to a quarterback who is in the pocket. Note: It is not necessary for a player to pull the runner completely to the ground in order for the act to be illegal. If his knees are buckled by the action, it is a foul, even if the runner is not pulled completely to the ground. All players are prohibited from ... grabbing the inside collar of the back of the shoulder pads or jersey, or the inside collar of the side of the shoulder pads or jersey, and immediately pulling down the runner. This does not apply to a runner who is in the tackle box or to a quarterback who is in the pocket. Clarifies the horsecollar rule. 12-2-8-j Unnecessary Roughness - Launching There shall be no unnecessary roughness. This shall include, but will not be limited to ... if a player illegally launches into a defenseless opponent. It is an illegal launch if a player (1) leaves both feet prior to contact to spring forward and upward into his opponent, and (2) uses any part of his helmet (including the top/crown and forehead/”hairline” parts) to initiate forcible contact against any part of his opponent’s body. Note: This does not apply to contact against a runner, unless the runner is still considered to be a defenseless player. [old 12-2-8-h] If 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. Note: Launching is defined as springing forward and upward by a player who leaves his feet to make contact on the receiver. The following four rules regarding launching and defenseless receivers have been completely rewritten for the second straight year. 12-2-9 Unnecessary Roughness - Defenseless Player It is a foul if a player initiates unnecessary contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture. (a) Players in a defenseless posture are: (1) A player in the act of or just after throwing a pass; (2) A receiver attempting to catch a pass; or who has completed a catch and has not had time to protect himself or has not clearly become a runner. If the receiver/runner is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent, he is no longer a defenseless player; (3) A runner already in the grasp of a tackler and whose forward progress has been stopped; (4) A kickoff or punt returner attempting to field a kick in the air; (5) A player on the ground at the end of a play; (6) A kicker/punter during the kick or during the return; (7) A quarterback at any time after a change of possession, and (8) A player who receives a “blindside” block when the blocker is moving toward his own endline and approaches the opponent from behind or from the side. (b) Prohibited contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture is: (1) Forcibly hitting the defenseless player’s head or neck area with the helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder, regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the defenseless player by encircling or grasping him; and (2) Lowering the head and making forcible contact with the top/crown or forehead/”hairline” parts of the helmet against any part of the defenseless player’s body. Note: The provisions of (2) do not prohibit incidental contact by the mask or helmet in the course of a conventional tackle on an opponent. [old 12-2-8-f/g-Note] Defenseless players ... 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. [old 12-2-8-f/g] If 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]). 12-2-13-3 Hits To Passer's Head and Use of Helmet and Facemask In covering the passer position, Referees will be particularly alert to fouls in which defenders impermissibly use the helmet and/or facemask to hit the passer, or use hands, arms, or other parts of the body to hit the passer forcibly in the head or neck area (see also the other unnecessary-roughness rules covering these subjects). A defensive player must not use his helmet against a passer who is in a defenseless posture for example, (a) forcibly hitting the passer’s head or neck area with the helmet or facemask, regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the passer by encircling or grasping him, or (b) lowering the head and making forcible contact with the top/crown or forehead/”hairline” parts of the helmet against any part of the passer’s body. This rule does not prohibit incidental contact by the mask or non-crown parts of the helmet in the course of a conventional tackle on a passer. In covering the passer position, Referees will be particularly alert to fouls in which defenders impermissibly use the helmet and/or facemask to hit the passer, or use hands, arms, or other parts of the body to hit the passer in the head, neck, or face (see also the other unnecessary-roughness rules covering these subjects). A defensive player must not use his facemask or other part of his helmet against a passer who is in a virtually defenseless posture — for example, (a) forcibly hitting the passer’s head, neck, or face with the helmet or facemask, regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the passer by encircling or grasping him, or (b) lowering the head and violently or unnecessarily making forcible contact with the “hairline” or forehead part of the helmet against any part of the passer’s body. This rule does not prohibit incidental contact by the mask or non-crown parts of the helmet in the course of a conventional tackle on a passer. A defensive player must not “launch” himself (spring forward and upward) into a passer, or otherwise strike him in a way that causes the defensive player’s helmet or facemask to forcibly strike the passer’s head, neck, or face—even if the initial contact of the defender’s helmet or facemask is lower than the passer’s neck. Examples: (a) a defender buries his facemask into a passer’s high chest area, but the defender’s trajectory as he leaps into the passer causes the defender’s helmet to strike the passer violently in the head or face; (b) a defender, using a face-on posture or with head slightly lowered, hits a passer in an area below the passer’s neck, then the defender’s head moves upward, resulting in strong contact by the defender’s mask or helmet with the passer’s head, neck, or face (one example of this is the so-called “dip-and-rip” technique). Incidental contact to the quarterback's face will not be considered a foul. 12-2-13-7 Passer Out of the 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. However, at any time after the change of possession, it is a foul if (a) an opponent forcibly hits the quarterback’s head or neck area with his helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder, or (b) if an opponent lowers his head and makes forcible contact with the top/crown or forehead/”hairline” parts of his helmet against any part of the quarterback’s body. This provision (b) does not prohibit incidental contact by the mask or the helmet in the course of a conventional block. 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. 15-9 Instant Replay Prior to the two-minute warning of each half, a Coaches’ Challenge System will be in effect except for plays when the on-field ruling results in a score for either team. After the two-minute warning of each half, throughout any overtime period, and after all scoring plays, a Referee Review will be initiated by a Replay Official from a Replay Booth comparable to the location of the coaches’ booth or Press Box. Prior to the two-minute warning of each half, a Coaches’ Challenge System will be in effect. After the two-minute warning of each half, and throughout any overtime period, a Referee Review will be initiated by a Replay Assistant from a Replay Booth comparable to the location of the coaches’ booth or Press Box. All challenges on scoring plays will be made by the replay booth, not the coaches. This will lead to more replay reviews overall. The Replay "Assistant" has been upgraded to an "Official," but their names do not appear on the 2011 NFL Roster of Officials. 15-9 Instant Replay - Coaches' Challenge A team may challenge an on-field ruling up until the next legal snap or kick. If there is a foul that prevents the next snap, the team committing that foul will no longer be able to challenge the previous ruling. Penalty: For initiating a challenge when all of a team’s time outs have been exhausted, when all of its available challenges have been used, after the two minute warning of either half, during an overtime period, after a scoring play, or after a foul that prevents the next snap: Loss of 15 yards. Penalty: For initiating a challenge when all of a team’s time outs have been exhausted or when all of its available challenges have been used: Loss of 15 yards. Obviously superfluous challenges will cost a team 15 yards. However, challenging a play that turns out not to be reviewable (down by contact, etc.) remains legal. 15-9 Instant Replay [The Replay Official] must initiate a review before the next legal snap or kick and cannot initiate a review of any ruling against a team that commits a foul to prevent the next snap. [new rule in 2011] There is no point in committing penalties to buy more time for the booth to replay a controversial call. Offenses ruled for should hurry to get off the next snap, and defenses ruled against should call timeout if necessary.