New 2024 NFL Rules-Football Zebras/sportsaldente.com
Two of our favorite coaches in the NFL happen to be on the Competition Committee to look at the New NFL Rules for 2024.
They are Buffalo Bills’ head coach Sean McDermott and Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay. I happen to officially call them, “Sean Mc Squared”.
Part of their job is to make new NFL Rules for 2024 that improve the quality and safety of the game.
Let’s now take a look at four of the most anticipated new NFL Rules for 2024.
NEW NFL RULES for 2024
1. Hip Drop Tackle
A hip drop tackle is when a defensive player grabs the runner around the hip area and uses his own weight to bring down the runner.
It has been used as a powerful technique many times to bring the ball carrier to the ground.
PRO: Just like any die-hard football fan, I needed some clarification on what exactly a hip drop tackle is. I can see why it has been used especially recently.
Certain players at key positions are hard to tackle without using that technique.
CON: I can also see why some people think it’s too dangerous even for today’s game. After watching the video of it, I have an understanding of what this type of tackle is. And how the runner can get hurt by it.
2. Roughing the Passer
Roughing the Passer as the rule stated is; “Any physical acts against a player who is in a passing posture (i.e.) before, during, or after a pass: which, in the Referee’s judgment, are unwarranted by the circumstances of the play will be called as fouls”.
Why This Change Was Overdue for New NFL Rules
Do I need to gloat more about this rule? Roughing the Passer was first intended to protect the quarterback.
Now, it’s like the NBA where the QB flops and they call a flag for, “roughing the passer”. The NBA did put in a rule where the player flopping receives a technical foul.
Will they also need it next for the NFL?
3. Kickoff Rule
The NFL owners passed their version of the XFL hybrid style kickoff rule.
Vital Tweaks to New NFL Kickoffs Rules
- The kicking team will still kick from the 35-yard line, however players on the kicking team will line up at the opponent’s 40. Those players aren’t permitted to move, and the kicker can’t cross the 50, until the ball hits the ground or a receiving player in the “landing zone” (from the goal line to the 20) or end zone.
- The receiving team must have a minimum of nine players lined up in the “setup zone” (between the 30- and 35- yard lines) with a minimum of two returners lined up in the landing zone.
- Any kick that hits the landing zone must be returned, while any kick that bounces into the end zone from the landing zone must either be returned or downed by the receiving team for a touchback to the 20-yard line.
- Any kick short of the landing zone gives possession to the receiving team at its own 40; any kick that hits the end zone and is downed is a touchback to the 30; and any kick that goes out of the back of the end zone is also a touchback to the 30.
- There are no more fair catches.
- There are no onside kicks until the fourth quarter begins and a team is trailing, then current onside kick rules would apply.
- Kickoffs after safeties will be from the 20, and the kicker will have the option to use a tee; setup and landing zones will not change.
- Penalties that carry over to kickoffs would only impact the spot of the kick, not the setup or landing zones and not where players line up.
Why I support this 100%
This was the best rule change to pass for 2024 in my opinion. The kickoff play used to be exciting when it was a traditional kick from the 30.
They decided to move the kickoff to the 35 to create more touchbacks and avoid high-speed collisions.
Last year it really tanked. When they decided that players could fair catch the kickoff inside the 25 to make it an automatic touchback.
Something had to be done.
This hybrid style kickoff worked in the XFL because it allowed for more returns and less high speed collisions.
This is a forward-thinking rule to a more forward thinking and faster type of league. “You go, Mc Squared Seans!”
4. Intentional Grounding Rule
The NFL is ready to make a rule change on Intentional Grounding.
According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Intentional Grounding was called 59 times last season.
I am not convinced that each of those calls were correct, however, that’s another story for another time.
What is Intentional Grounding?
Intentional Grounding as it pertains to the NFL rulebook, is enforced when “a passer, facing an imminent loss of yardage, because of the pressure from the defense, throws a forward pass without a realistic chance of completion. A realistic chance of completion is defined as a pass that is thrown in the direction of and lands in the vicinity of an originally eligible receiver.”
They should modify this rule as it’s very complicated and its often a “ticky tack call.”
Why Fans Should Embraces these New NFL Rules for 2024?
As times goes on, change is inevitable. Just like in life.
Players get more athletic and stronger each season, therefore the rules need to be looked at and updated accordingly, to fit the current style of the league.
For another interesting Sports story, please check out:
Syracuse Football Brings in Top-Four Recruits to Boost Team’s Competitive Spirit
