We have two spring football leagues worth watching when the NFL is not in season. The XFL and the USFL as you may know are pretty much different in the way they do their football. more later
When you look at the XFL and USFL, rules are quite different. USFL uses a coin toss, XFL uses a scramble using a player from each team to possess the ball. After the touchdown is scored, USFL kicks in the one point PAT and pas or run for two points. The XFL has to line up pass or run for one point from the 2, two points from the five, three points from the ten. more later.
2023 XFL Rules The XFL will feature exciting gameplay innovations that deliver fans a faster pace of play and more action. The league will build on what was started in 2020 by carrying over several rules and includes innovative changes in the areas of clock management, play reviews and late game possession designed to improve gameplay and enhance the fan viewing experience. EXTRA POINTS Tiered extra points are back Teams will have three run/pass only options for extra points following a touchdown 2-yard line = one point; 5-yard line = two points; 10-yard line = three points Defense awarded same number of points for a touchdown GAME TIMING The XFL will operate with a 35-second play clock, which begins following the previous play Clock will start following incomplete passes and out of bounds plays prior to two-minute warning of either half Clock will stop following first downs after two-minute warning of either half. The first and second half will be split by a 10-minute halftime Three timeouts per team per half KICKOFFS Teams begin play five yards apart - kicking team at opponent’s 35-yard line and return team at own 30-yard line OPTIONS TO KEEP BALL Teams will have two options to keep the ball after scoring: Traditional onside kick (any time during game) or 4th and 15 conversion from own 25-yard line (4thquarter only) DOUBLE FORWARD PASS 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 not crossed the line of scrimmage Once the ball has passed the line of scrimmage, no forward passes are permitted The first pass may fall incomplete rather than becoming a fumbled lateral. OVERTIME Consists of alternating attempts from opponent’s 5-yard line Three attempts per team (two points per score) or until winner is decided INSTANT REPLAY Centralized replay with all plays subject to review from Replay Official Replay may correct errors on non-reviewable plays, player safety at any point during the game, and any issue in the last five minutes of regulation plus overtime Head coach may challenge one on-field ruling per game, including those involving a foul or potential foul Final ruling made by designated members of officiating department in central location
USFL rules: 3-point conversions, two forward passes, and much more | FOX Sports USFL Rules USFL rules: 3-point conversions, two forward passes, and much more Updated Apr. 16, 2022 6:45 p.m. ET SHARE USFL has officially unveiled a few changes to the traditional football rules, designed to bolster offense and big-play potential, improve game flow, give trailing teams more scoring opportunities as time winds down, enhance player safety, and get officiating calls right in a way that’s fair for both teams. "Fans are the USFL’s top priority, so our rules are designed to give fans the traditional physical play they know and love while adding some modern fast-paced elements," said Mike Pereira, USFL Head of Officiating. "The overwhelming majority of rules that govern gameplay in the USFL are standard at the professional or collegiate level. But we are incorporating a few unconventional ideas that we're convinced will add offense, alter some coaching decisions and strategy for the better, and make it easier to get major penalty calls correct. Collectively, these changes will be good for the game of football and keep fans more engaged and entertained." The biggest rule changes pertain to extra-point conversions after touchdowns, onside kicks, overtime and passing plays, but they're not the only modifications. Here's what you need to know about the USFL's rules. Extra points When teams score a touchdown in the USFL, they'll have the option to attempt a one-, two- or even three-point conversion. Teams will receive: - One point for a kick made with the ball snapped from the 15-yard line - Two points for a scrimmage play from the two-yard line that successfully crosses the goal line - Three points for a scrimmage play from the 10-yard line that successfully crosses the goal line . Onside kicks Teams will have two options to retain possession after scoring. The first option will be a traditional onside kick attempt from the 25-yard line. The second will be running a 4th-and-12 play from their own 33-yard line. If the team makes a first down, fantastic — it retains possession from that spot. If the team attempting the "onside" fails, however, the defense gets the ball wherever the offense is downed. Overtime Overtime will be a shootout in which each team's offense will alternate plays against the opposing defense from the two-yard line. Each team will run a total of three plays, and each successful scoring attempt will receive two points. The team with the most points after each team has run its three plays wins. If the score is tied after each team runs three plays, the subsequent attempts become sudden death until a winner is declared. Two forward passes Offenses will be allowed to throw two forward passes behind the line of scrimmage, expanding teams' playbooks while adding even more excitement and trick-play potential to games. Other rules changes Instant replay: Each coach will be allowed one replay challenge. Replay Command at FOX Sports Control Center in Los Angeles will make all replay decisions, meaning that one replay crew will make all the decisions. This will ensure accurate, consistent, and faster rulings. USFL Replay Command will have the authority to overrule incorrect personal foul calls, including roughing the passer, hits on defenseless players, face-mask penalties, horse-collars, and more. USFL Replay Command will also be responsible for determining whether the act of pass interference is obviously intentional when it occurs 15 yards beyond the line of scrimmage (see below). Defensive pass interference: The penalty for defensive pass interference will mirror the NCAA rule, with exceptions. Defensive pass interference will be a spot foul if it occurs less than 15 yards from the line of scrimmage, but it is a 15-yard penalty if the spot of the foul is beyond 15 yards. The goal is to decrease the punitive nature of defensive pass interference penalties. However, a defender intentionally tackling a receiver beyond 15 yards past the line of scrimmage would be a spot foul. Offensive pass interference: If a pass does not cross the line of scrimmage, there can be no penalty for either offensive pass interference or ineligible player downfield. This rule change opens up the offense without undermining defense and forgoes punishment for infractions unrelated to the play Kickoffs: All kickoffs will be from the 25-yard line. No kicking team member may line up any further back than one yard, while the receiving team must have a minimum of eight players in the set-up zone between their 35- and 45-yard lines. After a kickoff travels 20 yards, the first touch must be by the receiving team. If an untouched kick becomes dead, the ball belongs to the receiving team at that spot. Hungry for even more USFL content? Head over to the USFL section on the FOX Sports app and website for all the latest news, and make sure to favorite the USFL and your favorite team — or teams! — while you're there. There you have it. enjoy the games
