Here are the nine new NFL rules or tweaks for the upcoming 2016-2017 NFL season.
Nine NFL Rules Changes for 2016-17 Season
1. Extra Point to Stay at the 15
By Competition Committee; Permanently moves the line of scrimmage for try kicks to the defensive team’s 15-yard line, and allows the defense to return any missed try.
The two-point conversion will now become a live play. The defending team may score two points if they force a turnover with a return. This is a huge change that will make for some exciting plays this season.
2. Coach-to-Player Communication
By Competition Committee; Permits the offensive and defensive play callers on the coaching staffs to use the coach-to-player communication system regardless of whether they are on the field or in the coaches’ booth. This rule change will help teams that like to have their coordinators upstairs get the plays in on time.
3. No More Chop Blocks
By Competition Committee; Makes all chop blocks illegal. “It is not one that has overwhelmed us in injury data, but it is not one we feel good about,” Competition Committee Chairman Rich McKay said. Chop blocks were allowed in close proximity along the line of scrimmage. Teams like the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks will need to change some teaching techniques.
4. You Fouled Out
By Competition Committee; Disqualifies a player who is penalized twice in one game for certain types of unsportsmanlike conduct fouls. Amended to one-year only. This will pertain to hits on defenseless receivers, unnecessary roughness, targeting, etc. The player will be warned after the first infraction. The second of a similar nature results in an automatic ejection.
5. Touchbacks at the 25
By Competition Committee; Changes the spot of the next snap after a touchback resulting from a free kick to the 25-yard line. Amended to one-year only. This is for free kicks only…not touchbacks as a result of interceptions or punts.
6. Horse Collar Tackles
By Competition Committee; Expands the horse collar rule to include when a defender grabs the jersey at the name plate or above and pulls a runner toward the ground. The old rule stated the player had to be pulled to the ground. Now the criteria will be a “buckling of the knees.”
7. Don’t Call a Time Out If You Don’t Have One
By Competition Committee; Makes it a foul for delay of game when a team attempts to call a timeout when it is not permitted to do so. There is no longer a warning issued for this infraction.
8. Ineligible Receiver Rule
By Competition Committee; Eliminates the five-yard penalty for an eligible receiver illegally touching a forward pass after being out of bounds and re-establishing himself in bounds, and makes it a loss of down.
9. No More Multiple Spots of Enforcement for a Double Foul
By Competition Committee; Eliminates multiple spots of enforcement for a double foul after a change of possession.
Note: The official 2016 NFL Rule Book is 84 pages long. The Penalty Enforcement Manual is 39 pages long. That is a lot to digest for anyone.
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