NFL Rule Changes for 2021

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

There were a lot of comments during the preseason games about this year's point of emphasis - taunting.

However, there are a few rule changes this year as well. You can read more at the below website - I have summarized a few of them below:

https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules...s-of-emphasis/

-- Expanded prohibition against blocks below the waist

Blocks below the waist during a scrimmage down, prior to a change of possession, are prohibited by players from either team, unless the contact occurs within the tight end box. The tight end box is defined as the area two yards outside of the normal tackle position and extends five yards on either side of the line of scrimmage.

-- Second forward passes: Modifies penalty to add a loss of down

Beginning in the 2021 season, a second forward pass thrown from behind the line of scrimmage, or a forward pass thrown after the ball returns behind the line of scrimmage, will now result in a loss of down and a five yard penalty from the previous spot. Additionally, if the foul occurs in the end zone, it will result in a safety.

-- Expanded consultation of replay review

The replay official and designated members of the officiating department can now communicate to the referee on certain objective and administrative aspects of the game.

-- A maximum of nine players in the “setup zone” on a free-kick formation - trial for one year

After the league made changes to the rules for onside kicks a few years ago for player safety, the recovery rates have been declining. Last season, only 3 onside kicks were successful. The league is tweaking the rules again on a trial basis for one year.

All receiving team players must be inbounds and behind their restraining line, and at least eight, but no more than nine, players must be positioned between their restraining and a spot 15 yards behind their setup zone.

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

Peter King wrote about the low block rule change in his last column:

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ia-peter-king/

The big rules change of the year will be the elimination of the low block. This has gotten zero attention this summer, but when you watch football this year, you’ll notice. You’ll see a corner move toward a ballcarrier in the open field, with a guard escorting the ballcarrier, and you’ll see the corner do a matador move and avoid all contact, and you’ll say, Whaaaat? It’s now illegal to block a man below the waist more than two yards outside the tackle or more than five yards on either side of the line of scrimmage. The intent is to eliminate chopping players at the knees, often at full speed. “The corners are going to have to use their athleticism to avoid those big linemen,” said Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer, who is a proponent of the rule because of safety. One of his corners is not crazy about it. Said Patrick Peterson: “We’re really gonna get smashed now. Imagine a 315-pound guard lead-blocking and running right at us. We gotta literally just almost stand there and take it, or try to fake them out and get around them to the ballcarrier. But I think a few of us [cornerbacks] are going to get leveled.”

Two points to make: I think offenses will have a big advantage here, particularly in things like wide runs or the screen game. As one coach told me, “Third-down backs will love this rule. They’ll be able to get out on the edge and instead of getting six to eight yards, they might get 15 because the play can’t get blown up by the DB cutting the guard or tackle.” Also, it’ll be interesting to see how attentive officiating crews are to this rule. Watch the first two or three weeks, when it could get over-flagged to tell players on both sides, We’re serious about calling this, so cut out the low blocks.

[Oldcolt]

Low block rule should provide Quenton with some highlight film. He is tentative for Sunday as now his back is hurting

[Colts And Orioles]

Originally Posted by AlwaysSunnyinIndy

--- Second Forward Passes: Modifies Penalty to Add a Loss of Down


Beginning in the 2021 season, a second forward pass thrown from behind the line of scrimmage, or a forward pass thrown after the ball returns behind the line of scrimmage, will now result in a loss of down and a five yard penalty from the previous spot. Additionally, if the foul occurs in the end zone, it will result in a safety.

o


I was in 4th grade when Scrambling Fran Tarkenton pulled this stunt in the Super Bowl, against the Steelers ...... after his first pass on the play was batted back to him he caught it, threw the ball again, and hit John Gilliam 41 yards downfield. Unfortunately for Fran and the Vikings, it didn't count as a completion.



The Loop’s Super Bowl Countdown: Worst Bloopers

(By Kevin Cusick)

https://www.twincities.com/2017/08/1...orst-bloopers/

o

[Discflinger]

You can’t please everyone, so, you might as well make sure people don’t become crippled or brain damaged.