Rule changes for 2013 Season

[Left Seater]

So the coaches on the rules committee have met and have decided on the bi annual rule changes. Granted these are just the committee recommendations by the selected coaches, but the NCAA usually approves the committees suggestions with no changes. Expect to see these rules in place this fall. My comments/thoughts on each are in bold.


1. A requirement that a home team’s jersey or pants contrast with the field color. (Boise State Rule)

TV is the driver behind this rule with the Blue and now Red turf fields. In lower light situations it is hard to see some players on TV and from the coaches booths. This only requires that the pants or jerseys be a contrasting color, not both.


2. A penalty for contacting a defenseless player above the shoulders will be a 15 yard personal foul and an automatic ejection.

Good change, which much like the helmet rule last year will change player behavior. You want to go head hunting like Schmick teaches his kids? Fine, it is just going to cost you the rest of the game.


3. Add a 10-second runoff with less than a minute remaining in either half when the sole reason for the clock stoppage is an injury to an offensive player.

At first glance most will like this rule as it would seem to prevent teams from faking injuries late in the half. However, the first time there is a legit injury and it costs a team to a chance to kick a FG people will go crazy. Further it does nothing to prevent the defensive team from faking injuries, which is a much larger issue.


4. To establish three seconds as the minimum amount of time required to be on the game clock in order to spike the ball to stop the clock. If one or two seconds remain on the clock, there is only time for the offense to run one more play.

The reason for this rule is consistency. Right now it completely depends on the clock operator and how fast or slow he hits the start then stop button. In one game last season there were three seconds on the clock at the snap and the clock operator allowed the clock to run out. In another there was one second and the clock operator stopped it. To me this seems almost impossible to rule on while on the field and the crews will have to use replay to determine where clock was at snap if it is already running. If that is the case then why add this rule and just use replay to determine if it was thrown in time.


5. To require a player that changes numbers during the game to report this to the referee, who will announce this.

This rule was pushed by lower level schools who may not always have duplicate jerseys available at each game. If a jersey becomes unusable do to a tear or if it is covered in blood, then it would not be allowed by the officials. This would allow the player to legally change his jersey during the game. It is not designed to allow players/schools to switch jersey numbers just because. If this is abused look for future changes.


6. To only allow one player number to be worn by the same team and participate at the same position (e.g., two quarterbacks on the same team are not allowed to have the same number).

Good change so as teams can't try to confuse their opponents by having similar positions wear the same number.


7. To allow the use of electronic communication by the on-field officiating crew after successful experimentation by the Southeastern Conference. This is not a required piece of equipment but will allow officiating crew to use this tool.

Another good change that has the potential to speed up the game. Instead of the calling official having to run to the Referee to report the foul and the number, he can just speak into the mic and the referee can announce the foul right away.


8. To allow the Big 12 Conference to experiment with using an eighth official on the field in conference games. This official would be placed in the backfield opposite the referee.

Seems unnecessary. The Big eleven wanted to try this too but the Big XII was given the approval. This additional official will help watch for holding and chop blocks. I am not sure how the mechanics of this will work though so I will withhold judgement until that part is released.


9. To allow instant replay to adjust the clock at the end of each quarter. Previously this provision was only in place for the end of each half.

Good addition, why not use the technology that you have in place.

[Left Seater]

Nope, not any contact. Just contact that is deemed of the personal foul variety. Not all illegal contact is a personal foul.

To use your running into and roughing the kicker example, roughing is a personal foul. Same would apply to this rule. Harmless touches will not be called. Personal fouls will.

[MuchoBulls]

Sucks that we'll not be able to wear our all green uni's from now on.

Love Rule 2

[Left Seater]

I think you and Oregon will be fine. This wasn't to deal with natural grass, but rather the non green turf fields.

[Terry in Crapchester]

My thoughts, fwiw . . .

So the coaches on the rules committee have met and have decided on the bi annual rule changes. Granted these are just the committee recommendations by the selected coaches, but the NCAA usually approves the committees suggestions with no changes. Expect to see these rules in place this fall. My comments/thoughts on each are in bold.


1. A requirement that a home team’s jersey or pants contrast with the field color. (Boise State Rule)

I've never been a huge fan of either the monochromatic look or blue/red turf, so I'm fine with this one.

2. A penalty for contacting a defenseless player above the shoulders will be a 15 yard personal foul and an automatic ejection.

Great idea in theory, but as JSC alluded, in practice it may leave far too much room for judgment calls.

3. Add a 10-second runoff with less than a minute remaining in either half when the sole reason for the clock stoppage is an injury to an offensive player.

Legit injuries will be the source of problems here. I don't like this one.

4. To establish three seconds as the minimum amount of time required to be on the game clock in order to spike the ball to stop the clock. If one or two seconds remain on the clock, there is only time for the offense to run one more play.

I see the rationale behind this per Lefty's post, but I don't like this one. And I see a Mack truck-sized loophole here as well: the rule wouldn't preclude a team from calling timeout with less than three seconds remaining. The likely upshot: it will place a premium on preserving timeouts in close games.

5. To require a player that changes numbers during the game to report this to the referee, who will announce this.

I don't have a problem with this one.

6. To only allow one player number to be worn by the same team and participate at the same position (e.g., two quarterbacks on the same team are not allowed to have the same number).

Good change. Parenthetically, I hope ND reduces, if not eliminates, the use of double numbers from last season, although we never had double numbers at the same position.

7. To allow the use of electronic communication by the on-field officiating crew after successful experimentation by the Southeastern Conference. This is not a required piece of equipment but will allow officiating crew to use this tool.

Like this one.

8. To allow the Big 12 Conference to experiment with using an eighth official on the field in conference games. This official would be placed in the backfield opposite the referee.

Don't really GARA on this one. I don't see the need for an extra official on the field, except in a generic "extra set of eyeballs on the field" kind of rationale.

9. To allow instant replay to adjust the clock at the end of each quarter. Previously this provision was only in place for the end of each half.

Great change, long overdue.

[Left Seater]

Terry,

I don't see how that is a judgement call at all. If the contact is above the shoulders it is a foul.



Schmick,

As soon as the Aggies get grass to grow other colors then you might have a point but short of that take it up with TV.

While I can't see the initial point of contact in that clip, I do know the block was excessive. That is nothing more than an intent to injure. The SC player could have easily made a block lower into the chest to avoid the head/shoulder area. He didn't looking for the highlights. He made the highlights though.

[Left Seater]

So you mess up at work and you have to face consequences. If a ref makes a mistake, you want him fired.

[Left Seater]

Exactly my point.

You aren't perfection, yet demand it of others or else they should be fired.