2007 Rule Changes

A look at the new & revised rules for 2007

Kicking Game

The kickoff will be at the kicking team’s 30-yard line.

On a kickoff, the game clock starts when the ball is touched legally in the field of play or crosses the goal line after the receiving team touches it in its end zone.

Prior to the kickoff, the referee will signal to start the 25-second clock when the kicker receives the ball from the official.

For fouls by the kicking team on kickoffs or punts (other than kick-catch interference), the receiving team has the option to tack on the penalty where they will subsequently have the ball. The receiving team may still choose to have the down replayed following enforcement of the penalty at the previous sport.

No defensive player in an attempt to block, bat, or catch a kick may be picked up, elevated, propelled, or pushed by a teammate. (NOTE: This is an addition to an existing rule; the new language is in italics.)

Clock

Following a change of possession, the clock starts on the snap.

During televised games only, charged team timeouts will be one minute (including the 25-second interval) rather than one minute and 30 seconds.

Following a television timeout, the ready-for-play interval will be 15 seconds rather than 25 seconds. The exception is for kickoffs that follow a TV timeout: for all kickoffs, the ready-for-play interval will remain 25 seconds.

Use of Computers

Computers may not be used by coaches or for coaching purposes anytime during the game or between periods. Also, computers are not included among the items prohibited on the field or in the team area. Computers are not included on the list of electronic devises that coaches may not use.

Return to the most recent Article and Archive List