NCAA Rule Changes (Proposed)

[Kalle]

So, what happens if the kick is short? Is is treated just like a free kick? I.e., B can return? Ball is dead if it touches the ground in the end zone (untouched by B)? Ball is alive and legally recoverable by either team in the field of play? If unsuccessful, B gets the ball at the B-25?

I'l go on record as saying that the NCAA does not need this rule.

I guess we will see if NCAA will adopt NFL or NFHS rules for the fair catch free kick (assuming that they are different, I have no idea) or invent something of their own. FWIW my opinions to your questions are that a FCFK is just a FK that can score. If it does not score all rules pertaining to free kicks apply with the "exception" that team B fouls that would be enforced from the previous spot (or offsetting fouls) would obviously allow team A to either rekick or start a new series of downs after the penalty is enforced.. Anything else would be stupid.

[Ralph Damren]

So, what happens if the kick is short? Is is treated just like a free kick? I.e., B can return? Ball is dead if it touches the ground in the end zone (untouched by B)? Ball is alive and legally recoverable by either team in the field of play? If unsuccessful, B gets the ball at the B-25?

I'l go on record as saying that the NCAA does not need this rule.

It is treated just like a kickoff, same rules other than a field goal can be scored. Mechanics differ slightly, chains would be set to illustrate the 10 yard netural zone for the players. R & U are under the pipes to make the call. IMHO, this could be considered an "unicorn" rule, slightly behind that of the "pregnant fullback" (9-9-3). Probably on some officials' bucket list, as it was on mine  .

The only reason given was : Tp be the same as NFHS and NFL 

[bossman72]

Yeah with 8 man, you'd probably just put the CJ under the posts with the R.
In 7 man, you'd probably put the U under with the R.
Everyone else remains the same.

[Imperial Stout]

The leg covering rule was not approved.  Fair catch free kick, 10 yards for OPI, and the targeting suspension changes were approved.

For the 2026 season, the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee on Thursday approved a one-year trial rule to modify the penalty structure when players are penalized for targeting.

Under the rule, a player disqualified for targeting for the first time during the season, regardless of which half it occurs, may participate in the next game.

Any player disqualified for targeting a second time during the season will be required to miss the first half of the next game. If a player is disqualified for a third targeting penalty during the season, the player will be required to miss the entire next game. No players were disqualified for targeting three times in the 2025 season.

A conference has the option to initiate an appeals process after a player's second targeting offense. The appeal, which can cover the first and second targeting offenses, would be sent to the NCAA national coordinator of football officials, who would then facilitate a video review.

If the call is overturned on appeal, the player will be able to play without sitting out the first half of the next game. 

Previously, players disqualified for targeting would be disqualified for the remainder of that game, and if the foul occurred in the second half, the player would sit the first half of the next game.

Since the 2022 season, conference offices have been allowed to appeal second-half targeting disqualifications to the NCAA national coordinator of officials in hopes of having the call overturned so the player would not have to miss the first half of the next game.

Fair catch kick
Under another rule approved Thursday by the oversight committee, a team can choose to attempt a kick after a completed or awarded fair catch. The kick will be a field goal place kick with a holder (no tee) or a drop kick from the spot where the returner caught the ball.

If the ensuing kick goes through the uprights, it will add 3 points to that team's total. The defense is required to be at least 10 yards from the spot of the kick.

This rule further aligns Division I with similar rules that exist in NFL and high school football.

Other rule changes approved
On punts where jersey number exceptions (players who do not wear numbers 50-79) are used, the snapper and two adjacent linemen on either side who are lined up in (or touching) the tackle box are ineligible receivers by position and become exceptions to the numbering rule when the snapper takes his position. This clarifies which players are eligible receivers in the formation.
While the Division I Football Rules Subcommittee is comfortable with the administration of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, the oversight committee approved clarifying the rule to give on-field officials guidance to align with the current game. Officials will focus on unsportsmanlike conduct where a player taunts an opponent; actions that interfere with game administration; and celebrations found demeaning to the game or opponent.
Offensive pass interference penalties will be 10 yards. Previously, the penalty for offensive pass interference was 15 yards.
Uniforms
The oversight committee did not approve a proposal that would have required players to wear leg coverings from the top of their shoes to the bottom of their pants.

https://www.ncaa.org/news/2026/3/19/media-center-changes-to-penalty-structure-for-targeting-in-di-football-approved.aspx

[ElvisLives]

Well, that makes it very clear that the Rules Committee doesn’t care about the image of the game, at the very least.

If we see 2 total fair catch field goal attempts across ALL of NCAA football in 2026, I’ll be shocked.

[bossman72]

Well, that makes it very clear that the Rules Committee doesn’t care about the image of the game, at the very least.

If we see 2 total fair catch field goal attempts across ALL of NCAA football in 2026, I’ll be shocked.

I just hope we don't have stupid Free Kick mechanics for this.

If they were smart they would just keep it simple.  Line up like a normal free kick, but put the CJ and R under the uprights.  Everyone else in their normal position.

7 man, use the R and F.  I chose F since if you were to take someone off of a restraining line for this play, it would be someone on R's since they're not going to onside kick.  You can easily do B as well.

[ElvisLives]

I just hope we don't have stupid Free Kick mechanics for this.

If they were smart they would just keep it simple.  Line up like a normal free kick, but put the CJ and R under the uprights.  Everyone else in their normal position.

7 man, use the R and F.  I chose F since if you were to take someone off of a restraining line for this play, it would be someone on R's since they're not going to onside kick.  You can easily do B as well.

For a crew of 7, yeah, send the F or S back. Don’t need 2 on the receiving team’s restraining line. Although probably won’t be illegal, an onside kick would be the dumbest move imaginable. Why? You’ve got the ball. Just take the scrimmage series and play ball, unless you need 3 points to tie or win, and there is only time for one down.

So, if they score, and there is time remaining, what happens after the kick? A free kick, just like after any other field goal?

Which begs another question? If the field goal is successful, then the ball would not have been legally touched in the field of play, so the clock wouldn't run. Correct?

[Kalle]

Which begs another question? If the field goal is successful, then the ball would not have been legally touched in the field of play, so the clock wouldn't run. Correct?

I guess this depends on how they write the new rule, but if we go by the current rules, yes, the clock would not run, and we should have another free kick unless there was a penalty on the previous kick. Three free kicks in a row

[ElvisLives]

Three free kicks in a row

I’d get a kick out of that!