The revived XFL returns with Week 1 of its regular season this weekend. The league will introduce the football world to a uniquely different rulebook that hopes to differentiate itself from the NFL product.
The league categorizes its tweaks to the rules as five “gameplay innovations,” five “timing changes” and “five “common sense” rules.
Some of the most notable differences concern what defines a catch, the overtime format, kickoffs, what happens after a touchdown and the pace of the game, among other items. This post will run through the main differences to keep an eye on when action kicks off on Saturday and Sunday.
The pace of the game
Each team receives two timeouts per half, and the period between halves is 10 minutes. NFL teams have three timeouts each half with halftime typically lasting between 12 and 15 minutes. ESPN reports the XFL hopes to cap games at 2 hours, 45 minutes. Other aspects include a running game clock until the final 2 minutes of each half, which is defined as the “comeback period.” Outside of those 2 minutes at the end of the half, the clock will run even if a pass hits the field or a player runs out of bounds.
There is no coin toss as the home team makes a choice to kick, receive or defer at the beginning of the game. The away team gets this honor if the game heads to overtime. The play clock is set at 25 seconds, and all replay reviews come from an official in a booth above the field.
Overtime
If a game heads to overtime, each offense will get five one-play possessions from the 5-yard line. The team with the most points at the end of the five attempts is the winner. If there is a tie at the end of the attempts, then the shootout will continue until a team is mathematically eliminated. Each overtime score is worth 2 points.
“If the defensive team commits a penalty, the offensive team will be allowed to re-attempt from the 1-yard line,” the XFL’s official rules read. “Any subsequent penalty committed by the defensive team on any subsequent play, including in future rounds, will result in a score awarded to the offensive team.”
Things step outside of the box with the crushing blow penalties will deliver in overtime. If the offense commits a pre-snap penalty, then the ball is moved back in the traditional sense. If the offense commits a penalty during the play, though, then the possession is wiped off the board regardless of the outcome of the play. On the other side, if the defense commits a penalty during action, then the ball is placed at the 1-yard line for another shot.
The NFL uses a 10-minute overtime period where only one team is guaranteed a shot on offense. If the first team with the ball scores a touchdown, the game is over. If the first team with the ball settles for a field goal, then the second team gets a crack to tie it up again or win it with a touchdown. A coin toss determines possession, and ties are still possible in the regular season (see Week 1 Detroit Lions vs. Arizona Cardinals).
While these rules sound innovative, overtime feels extremely unlikely with the scoring format.
Scoring
Touchdowns are still worth 6 points in Vince McMahon’s football league, but there are no extra-point kicks. Instead, teams have the option of running a play from the 2-, 5- or 10-yard line for 1, 2 or 3 points, respectively. If the defense forces a turnover and scores, then they are awarded whatever amount of points the offense was attempting.
“The NFL has a near-automatic play with its extra-point kick. The XFL has created excitement by replacing a kick with a play from scrimmage," the XFL writes in the rationale section of its rules. “To provide even more excitement, we have added the opportunity for a 3-point play, which means that an 18-point deficit is still a two-possession game. Fans have told the XFL that the 3-point play creates more strategy and innovation for the coaches.”
What’s a catch?
The XFL is treating catches more in line with that of the college game. If one foot or any part of the body makes contact in bounds, then it’s a catch. It goes like this per the rules -- “1. Secures control of a live ball in flight before the ball touches the ground. 2. Touches the ground inbounds with any part of his body, and then 3. Maintains control of the ball long enough to enable him to perform an act common to the game, i.e., long enough to pitch or hand the ball, advance it, avoid or ward off an opponent, etc.”
The double-forward pass rule also allows two forward passes on a single play, adding a new layer to the idea of a trick play.
"The ‘Double Pass’ is one of the most exciting plays in football and the XFL aims to add excitement while maintaining traditional football,” the league explains in its rulebook. “The Double Forward Pass updates the rules to make double passes less risky because the first pass may fall incomplete rather than becoming a fumbled lateral.”
Dedicated ball-spotting official
The XFL has a dedicated official for spotting the ball. “The NFL and college use a seven-official system, with no single official responsible for spotting the ball,” the league explains.
It’s probably a smart idea to get in front of stuff like this happening during games:
Kickoff
Finally, let’s take a look at the differences when it comes to the heavily-scrutinized kickoff. Kickers kick from the 30-yard line and must put the ball in the air and between the 20-yard line and goal line. Each team can have three players outside the hash marks, and can’t move until the ball is caught. If the kick falls short of the 20-yard line, the ball is placed at the 45-yard line. If the ball is downed in the end zone, it is placed at the 35-yard line. If the kick bounces into the end zone and is downed, the ball is placed at the 15-yard line.
If one of the teams wants to attempt an onside kick, then they must let the officials and other side know ahead of time. So, no Sean Payton Super Bowl surprise onside attempts.
Saturday:
Seattle Dragons vs. DC Defenders -- 2 p.m. on ABC
Los Angeles Wildcats vs. Houston Roughnecks -- 5 p.m. on FOX
Sunday:
Tampa Bay Vipers vs. New York Guardians -- 2 p.m. on FOX
St. Louis BattleHawks vs. Dallas Renegades -- 5 p.m. on ESPN
Related: Former Detroit Lions players to watch in opening weekend of XFL season
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