The 2020 XFL season will kick-off once again this weekend as there is more football to watch a week after the biggest game of them all, the Super Bowl. It may have taken a 20-year hiatus, but the XFL is coming back with eight brand new franchisees ready to take over the football industry. Before the games kick-off this weekend, it is the perfect time to remind everyone of the brand new rules coming to the XFL. There are tons of differences from the XFL and NFL as it is time to look at those XFL 2020 rules. Grab some popcorn because there are a ton of new XFL 2020 rules for the brand new season. All rules are sourced from XFL.COM
XFL Kickoffs
- The kicker kicks from the 30-yard line and must kick the ball in the air and in play between the opponent’s 20-yard line and the end zone.
- The coverage team lines up on the return side 35-yard line and the return team lines up on the 30-yard line. Each team must have exactly 3 players outside the hash marks on both sides of the ball and cannot move until the ball is caught by the returner.
- Out of bounds kicks and kicks that fall short of the 20-yard line will result in an illegal procedure penalty, taking the ball all the way out to the kicking team’s 45-yard line.
- Players can move when the ball is touched by the returner or 3 seconds after the ball touches the ground (when the official waves his hand down).
- If the ball is kicked into the end zone and is downed it is a “Major” touchback and the ball is placed at the return side 35-yard line.
- If the ball bounces in bounds and then out of the end zone or is downed in the end zone, the ball is placed at the return side 15-yard line.
- If a player on the return team touches the ball and it goes out of bounds, the ball is spotted where it went out of bounds.
- If a team wishes to run an onside kick, it must indicate this to the official before the play and the two teams will be permitted to line up using traditional NFL rules (i.e. 10 yards apart from the kicking team). There will be no surprise onside kicks.
This is less stall, more ball. See the rules live when the XFL kicks off Sat, Feb. 8. #ForTheLoveOfFootball
MORE ➡️ https://t.co/pThoNPvVAL pic.twitter.com/4H4TZRBtA5
— XFL (@xfl2020) January 7, 2020
XFL Point-After Touchdown
- After a touchdown, the team has the option of running a play from the 2, 5, or 10-yard line, worth 1, 2, or 3 points respectively. The team must run an offensive play and no kicking plays are allowed. This is change is what fans really wanted to see in the XFL 2020 rules.
XFL Punting
- The punting team cannot release past the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked.
- Gunners must line up at the line of scrimmage and are permitted to move laterally once the ball is snapped until it is kicked.
- If the ball goes out of bounds inside the 35-yard line, it is a “Major” touchback and the ball goes to the 35-yard line.
XFL Double-Forward Passes
- If a team completes a forward pass behind the line of scrimmage, that team may throw a second forward pass, as long as the ball has at no time crossed the line of scrimmage.
XFL Overtime Rules
Overtime shall consist of 5 “Rounds”, staged in alternating single-play possessions as is customary in NHL shootouts or MLS penalty kicks. A “Round” will consist of one offensive play per team. Each possession starts at the opponent’s 5-yard line and the offensive team has one play to score. The team with more points after 5 rounds is the winner. Do you love this new XFL 2020 rule change? Seems as if the NFL needs to start following this.
- If a team has been mathematically eliminated before all 5 rounds have been completed, the game ends immediately (e.g. If Team A scores on its first 3 attempts and Team B is stopped on its first 3 attempts, then no subsequent plays are necessary).
- If teams are tied after 5 rounds, then rounds continue until one team is leading at the conclusion of a round, and that team will be the winner.
XFL Catching
- Secures control of a live ball in flight before the ball touches the ground.
- Touches the ground inbounds with any part of his body, and then
- 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.
