[NU Sports] Football Rule changes for 2012

[Jonathan Hodges]

Re-clarification: Also, just to head off any further questions, the
touchback to the 25 yard line is ONLY on free kicks (kickoffs & post-safety
kicks), NOT punts into the end zone / fumbles into/through an opponent's
end zone / interceptions or fumbles recovered in one's own end zone / etc.

--
Jonathan Hodges
Contributor, HailToPurple
Web: http://www.hailtopurple.com/jhodges/
Twitter: @hailtopurple
Email: j-hodges at alumni.northwestern.edu



On Fri, Feb 24, 2012 at 4:09 PM, <hakirsch at aol.com> wrote:

> I'm an admitted old schooler and moving kickoff yardlines never really
> struck me as being a significant rule change ( I remember when it was from
> the 40) even though it obviously could affect whether it was a touchback or
> a return but somehow spotting the ball at the 25 for a TB seems like a big
> change to me.  Less likely for someone to opt for a runback and possibly
> more 4th downs "going for it" since a "bad" punt brings it out a further
>
> If you are at the opponents 40 you will only pick up 15 yards on a bad punt
>
> Harry
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "Dennis W. Brandt" <tbng at comcast.net>
> Sender: nwu-sports-bounces at tssi.com
> Date: Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:40:40
> To: <nwu-sports at tssi.com>
> Reply-To: "Dennis W. Brandt" <tbng at comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [NU Sports] Football Rule changes for 2012
>
> > The NCAA will join the NFL in in 2012 in moving kickoffs from the 30 to
> > the 35 yard line.
>
> It isn't a good rule in the NFL, and it isn't a good rule in the NCAA
> either.
>
> > However, the NCAA will also move touchbacks to the 25 instead of the 20.
> > ESPN says is suppposed to  encourage more touchbacks.  That may be true
> > for
> > the receiving team, but if that affects field goals as well as kickoffs,
> > it isn't clear how that will affect kicking team decision making.
>
> Encourage more touchbacks?  How?  Since the kicking team is five yards
> closer and there is essentially a five-yard penalty for kicking the ball
> into the endzone, I suspect strategy will be to kick to the goal line since
> they have five yards less to reach the ball carrier.  While the NCAA may
> look to reduce injuries on kickoffs, I think they've encouraged more
> contact.  If they want to eliminate injuries on kickoffs, then let's just
> let the other team start on the 25-yard line after a score.  Might as well
> completely discourage one of the most exciting plays in football.
>
> > A rule I have favored for a while has also been passed.  A player whose
> > helmet comes off during a play must leave the game for one play.
>
> Why if he's not hurt?
>
> > Also, players cannot leap over blockers when trying to block punts.
>
> If a guy has the skill to leap over the other team's players without
> assistance, so what?  If the blocker is flat on the ground, the rusher has
> to go around him?
>
> The NCAA rules committee has WAY too much free time on its hands.
>
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