INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — College football will have a few rule
changes in place this fall, including one that will give teams the
option of shaving 10 seconds off the clock in penalty situations.
The
most notable change approved Thursday by the NCAA’s Playing Rules
Oversight Panel is the 10-second runoff that can occur if a team commits
a penalty in the final minute of a half. Opponents will have the option
of taking the yardage and the time, the yardage only or declining the
penalty.
The committee also approved a rule that allows video
monitors in the coaches’ booths. The televisions will have access only
to any live broadcast of the game — no video recorders — to help coaches
decide if they should challenge a call. If the monitors are available
to the home team, they must also be available to the visitor.
Those changes coincide with perhaps the biggest change of the season — a taunting rule that could cost
teams points.
Last
April, the playing rules panel approved a decision to nullify
touchdowns if a player is called for taunting before he crosses the goal
line. Examples include players finishing touchdown runs by
high-stepping into the end zone or pointing the ball toward an opponent.
The panel decided then to wait one year before implementing the change.
Previously,
the 15-yard penalty was assessed on the extra point attempt, 2-point
conversion attempt or the ensuing kickoff. Penalties called after the
player crosses the goal line still will be assessed on those plays, but
live-ball fouls will be assessed at the spot of the foul and eliminate
the score.
The playing rules panel also approved two changes they hope will make the game safer.
Players
lined up within seven yards of the center on scrimmage plays will still
be permitted to block below the waist anywhere on the field.
But
receivers or running backs lined up outside the tackle box will only be
allowed to block below the waist if they are blocking straight ahead or
toward the nearest sideline. If they go inside and block toward the
play, it would be a penalty.
The defensive team also will be
assessed a 5-yard penalty if three or more players try to overpower one
offensive lineman on place kicks.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.