NCAA Football Rules Committee Actions for 2017

[Rulesman]

Per Terry McAulay on Twitter:

1. Leaping or hurdling on FGs is illegal
2. Horse collar tackles include grabbing the nameplate
3. Knee pads must cover the knee
4. No change to targeting rule
5. POE: Coaches on the field in protest will be penalized
6: POE: Game length: 2nd half starts when the clock hits 0:00
7: POE: Consistently wind clock after runner is out of bounds and the ball is spotted

Note that these are subject to approval by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel (PROP)

More from McAulay... "Game length is a complex issue that is being discussed. *If* the current length of games is too long, changes must be well thought out and avoid unintended consequences. This was an off year for rules changes (safety changes only). Timing changes would occur next year, if the committee so chooses."

[scrounge]

Here's an easy one on game length that will impact player safety as well...don't stop the clock on first down inbounds. What's the point of it anyway now that there's a forty sec play clock?

[JasonTX]

What am I overlooking on number 1?  Hasn't that been illegal for the past few years?

[DallasLJ]

What am I overlooking on number 1?  Hasn't that been illegal for the past few years?

  Its been legal if you start within 1 yard of LOS and don't land on anyone.  Leaping wasn't a foul -- landing was. So, you could maybe leap through a gap, especially since the lineman tend to stay low.  So, this just cleans up this rule.  No jumping the line -- period.

[TxSkyBolt]

LEAPING AND HURDLING
Rule 9-1-11-b (FR-91)
No defensive player who runs forward from beyond the neutral zone may leap or hurdle in an obvious attempt to block a field goal or try.  It is not a foul if the player was aligned in a stationary position within one yard of the line of scrimmage when the ball was snapped.


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[Legacy Zebra]

Also there's always discussion of whether or not the snapper had his hands on the ground which would make hurdling him legal by definition. This would take away any debate about that.

[DJW201]

The previous reference to 9-1-11.b. omitted a portion of the rule:

No defensive player who runs forward from beyond the neutral zone and leaps from beyond the neutral zone in an obvious attempt to block a field goal or try may land on any player(s).  I believe this is the type of play that they are concerned about where the leaper did not touch anyone (and certainly did not land on another player):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPSt0VeU9pI

While these types of plays can be hurdling, the leap in this play did not appear to be feet first.  Part of the impetus for this rule proposal also probably comes from the lower divisions where long-snapping can be particularly problematic and long snappers are hard to find.  I had one lower division game last season in which the long snapper was a wide receiver who was told simply to go to the ground after he snapped the ball to avoid injury (even though he had snapper protection).

[TxSkyBolt]

The previous reference to 9-1-11.b. omitted a portion of the rule:

No defensive player who runs forward from beyond the neutral zone and leaps from beyond the neutral zone in an obvious attempt to block a field goal or try may land on any player(s).  I believe this is the type of play that they are concerned about where the leaper did not touch anyone (and certainly did not land on another player):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPSt0VeU9pI

While these types of plays can be hurdling, the leap in this play did not appear to be feet first.  Part of the impetus for this rule proposal also probably comes from the lower divisions where long-snapping can be particularly problematic and long snappers are hard to find.  I had one lower division game last season in which the long snapper was a wide receiver who was told simply to go to the ground after he snapped the ball to avoid injury (even though he had snapper protection).

No, what I posted was the proposed new rule sent out by RR. I read it as no hurdling over a player. Gaps still fine and we must know definition of hurdling as that definition has not changed. I.e. Hurdled player must have nothing on the ground except his feet.


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[bctgp]

I assume for #1 regarding leaping he also meant on Trys as well?

[TxSkyBolt]

I assume for #1 regarding leaping he also meant on Trys as well?

See my post above for RR proposed rule language. It includes Try's.


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[Rulesman]

The Playing Rules Oversight Panel (PROP) has approved the following rules changes for 2017. The new language is in red.

KNEE PADS
Rule 1-4-4-d (FR-21)
Knee Pads. Knee pads must be covered by pants.
TO TAKE EFFECT IN 2018: Furthermore, the pants and knee pads must cover the knees.


LEAPING AND HURDLING
Rule 9-1-11-b (FR-91)
No defensive player who runs forward from beyond the neutral zone may leap or hurdle in an obvious attempt to block a field goal or try. It is not a foul if the player was aligned in a stationary position within one yard of the line of scrimmage when the ball was snapped.

HORSE COLLAR TACKLE
Rule 9-1-15 (FR-92)
All players are prohibited from grabbing the inside back collar of the shoulder pads or jersey, the nameplate area, or the inside collar of the side of the shoulder pads or jersey, and immediately pulling the ball carrier down.

Rogers Redding
Secretary-Rules Editor
April 19, 2017

[bossman72]

*Knee pad rule has been tabled to 2018

[Rulesman]

*Knee pad rule has been tabled to 2018

As noted in the release.

[Andrew McCarthy]

So just to be clear, biker shorts are allowed this year.

[NVFOA_Ump]

So just to be clear, biker shorts are allowed this year.

As long as they have "knee" pads.