New rules this year for college kicking game

[fervorfactor]

I caught ESPN College Football Live and they explained some new rules for this college season. I haven't seen it online anywhere yet, so no link.

Kickoffs - Ball teed at the 35. Touch-backs (at least for kickoffs) are spotted at the 25. They are trying to cut down on kickoff return related injuries where their stats indicate a high percentage of concussions come from. Makes for some possible interesting new strategies for special teams coaches.

Helmets - If a player's helmet comes off during a play and it isn't deemed to have been ripped off by an opponent, that player must sit out the next play. I think we've all noticed the frequency of this happening in recent years. I thought it was partially due to big hair but it seems guys aren't snapping chin straps or playing with them loosely adjusted.

 

[SBG]

I'm in favor of both rules, especially the helmet rule.

It will definitely help change the game, but given everything that has come out about long term football related illnesses lately it's a good step in the right direction, rather than completely overreacting and banning the KO.

 

[MtnBuff]

I'm in favor of both rules, especially the helmet rule.

It will definitely help change the game, but given everything that has come out about long term football related illnesses lately it's a good step in the right direction, rather than completely overreacting and banning the KO.

^^Agree^^

Helmets, and other protective pads, don't help fully unless they are correctly fitted and worn. They have come a long way with equipment but it is important that it is used correctly. Another issue that is much more significant than people would think in terms of concussions are properly fitted and used mouthguards so that needs to be closely regulated as well.

KO's have issues because players are running long distances getting up a full head of steam prior to impact and are often stretched out when hitting or getting hit. In addition to the changes in spotting the ball for KO I wonder if they put in allignment regulations that would require the coverage teams to be stationary at the KO (kind of like the restrictions on the OL prior to and at the snap) and require a significant number of the return team to be within a shorter distance of the KO line for instance saying that a minimum of 7 players had to be no closer than 10 yards and no further than 15 it would reduce damaging collisions.

 

[CUAviator]

^^Agree^^

Helmets, and other protective pads, don't help fully unless they are correctly fitted and worn. They have come a long way with equipment but it is important that it is used correctly.

KO's have issues because players are running long distances getting up a full head of steam prior to impact and are often stretched out when hitting or getting hit. In addition to the changes in spotting the ball for KO I wonder if they put in allignment regulations that would require the coverage teams to be stationary at the KO (kind of like the restrictions on the OL prior to and at the snap) and require a significant number of the return team to be within a shorter distance of the KO line for instance saying that a minimum of 7 players had to be no closer than 10 yards and no further than 15 it would reduce damaging collisions.

A) seriously. I saw more helmets come off during plays (NFL and college) last year that I think I've ever seen total in my life. Is it some new fad to have a loose fitting helmet these days?

2) they do have a rule In place this year - you can't have more than a 5 yard running start on the kickoff anymore.

 

[El Gringo]

I don't understand spotting the ball at the 25 for touchbacks. If the goal is the encourage touchbacks and reduce the number of returnable balls to avoid head injuries, why reward the return team for a touchback? If I'm a coach and I believe in my kickoff unit, I tell my kicker to kick the ball just short of the goal line and let my kickoff unit stick the return man back at the 15 or 20.

Am I missing something?

 

[CarolinaBuff]

I don't understand spotting the ball at the 25 for touchbacks. If the goal is the encourage touchbacks and reduce the number of returnable balls to avoid head injuries, why reward the return team for a touchback? If I'm a coach and I believe in my kickoff unit, I tell my kicker to kick the ball just short of the goal line and let my kickoff unit stick him back at the 15 or 20.

Am I missing something?

I was wondering the same thing but I'm guessing their thought is that by placing touchbacks at the 25 it will encourage more receiving teams to go ahead and take the touchback instead of trying to run it out.

 

[fervorfactor]

My take on it is they (who are they) don't think college kickers are accurate enough to drop kick offs on the five and probably won't take the chance of it going out of bounds, spotted at the 35 if I remember. It makes it interesting though. It changes strategies but it takes the thrill out if returns are reduced. Desmond Howard was frowning the whole time of this discussion. Makes Honey Badger types less effective. Really hard squib kicks might be the answer. I wonder about punts though. Same amount of acceleration time for coverage, more air time, same hard hits. I'm guessing there are some special team guys devising stuff. I would be.

 

[Timbuff10]

I never understood why they dont just kick the thing up in the air as high as they could so that it hits around the 30 yd line when the cover team gets there. At that point its anyone's ball.

 

[BuffaloT]

My take on it is they (who are they) don't think college kickers are accurate enough to drop kick offs on the five and probably won't take the chance of it going out of bounds, spotted at the 35 if I remember. It makes it interesting though. It changes strategies but it takes the thrill out if returns are reduced. Desmond Howard was frowning the whole time of this discussion. Makes Honey Badger types less effective. Really hard squib kicks might be the answer. I wonder about punts though. Same amount of acceleration time for coverage, more air time, same hard hits. I'm guessing there are some special team guys devising stuff. I would be.

NEVER squib kick.

 

[Mick Ronson]

touchbacks at the 25 must be about scoring or maybe given the strength of today's kickers (?) they want to encourage teams to try and keep the ball in play? i for one would like that. a touchback in a TV game is usually sammiched by commercial breaks (as are all stoppages in play)....and coming off a TD, you get that commercial break, one after the PAT.....one after the touchback...etc. so, maybe it's good. the 4 hour TV football game is a bit much for me sometimes.

 

[Nor Cal Buff]

I never understood why they dont just kick the thing up in the air as high as they could so that it hits around the 30 yd line when the cover team gets there. At that point its anyone's ball.

No it's not. The receiving team could call for a fair catch. The reason they can't fair catch onside kicks is because the ball always hits the ground first.

 

[Nor Cal Buff]

My take on it is they (who are they) don't think college kickers are accurate enough to drop kick offs on the five and probably won't take the chance of it going out of bounds, spotted at the 35 if I remember. It makes it interesting though. It changes strategies but it takes the thrill out if returns are reduced. Desmond Howard was frowning the whole time of this discussion. Makes Honey Badger types less effective. Really hard squib kicks might be the answer. I wonder about punts though. Same amount of acceleration time for coverage, more air time, same hard hits. I'm guessing there are some special team guys devising stuff. I would be.

Punt returns are a bit different because of fair catches and because not everyone is starting a minimum of 10 yards apart and smashing into each other running full speed. Some players are getting jammed at the line, getting blocked by the offensive line, etc. But they are still probably more dangerous than your average play, I'd agree.

 

[SuperiorBuff]

No it's not. The receiving team could call for a fair catch. The reason they can't fair catch onside kicks is because the ball always hits the ground first.

Correct. Monarch High School does this about 75% of the time and it drives me, and other fans nuts. 1-2 times a year it results in a turnover; the rest of the time the receiving team is prepped, waves a fair catch and gets great field condition.