1. Xfl Rules Explained
2. Xfl Rule Changes
3. Xfl Rules Differences
4. Xfl Rules Differences 2020
5. Xfl Rules Vs Nfl Rules Game

It’s pretty obvious right away that the XFL is not the NFL. From the rules to the players to the quality of play, no this is not the NFL, but the XFL isn’t trying to emulate the top football league in the world. However, I will say that this is closer to a professional football league than the corny league we saw in 2001. Professional football is all about entertainment and making money, of course, but the original XFL was trying to insert the wacky world of professional wrestling into football. That is not the case in the XFL 2020, though there are some differences to give the audience something to talk about. That’s especially true when it comes to the rules of the XFL vs the NFL.

The NFL has changed its rules lately to encourage touchbacks as kickoffs are dangerous. But the way the XFL has set it up is supposed to be safer. 'In college football, kickoffs are only 6% of. America’s favorite game is evolving, and that means less stall and more ball. When the XFL Opening Weekend kicks off on Feb. 8, our new league will feature exciting gameplay innovations that deliver what football fans have told us they want - a faster pace of play and more action.

There were some innovations in the original XFL that we saw the NFL adapt. The most notable of all is the overhead camera on the field, known as the sky cam. This was a revolutionary addition to football broadcasts at the time, but it’s so commonplace now that no one gives it much thought. That was a Vince McMahon idea that made its way over to the NFL. The XFL also introduced the idea of putting mics on players.

If I recall correctly, the dialogue on the field was transmitting to TV in real-time. The NFL doesn’t do that, but they do have certain players mic’d up that they’ll replay on NFL programming after the fact. The XFL is taking microphones a step further, with interviews taking place in-game on the sidelines. As far as other memorable additions the XFL had was a cheerleading camera in the locker room, which seemed something out of the WWE playbook, scripted and all. The “coin toss”, or scramble for the ball, in the original XFL was new too, but didn’t stick in the NFL or the rebirth of the XFL. For ten differences between the XFL 2020 and NFL jump below.

1. Kickoffs

This rule was implemented with safety in mind by the XFL. The NFL is going to be watching to see if concussions on kickoffs decreases in the XFL. If that’s the case, don’t be surprised if the NFL steals this kickoff format from Vince McMahon’s league. The kickoff team and return team line up 5 yards apart in the receiving team’s side of the field on the 35-yard line and 30-yard line, while the kicker is in his normal position. Nobody is permitted to move besides the kicker and returner until the ball is caught. This takes away high speed collisions with players running at full speed into one another like in the NFL. In turn, we should see less concussions, and the XFL is hoping for some bigger plays from this as well.

The first kickoff return touchdown in XFL history was a work of art. pic.twitter.com/ocyKXmjYPX

— XFL (@xfl2020) February 24, 2020

2. Play Clock

The play clock in the NFL is 40 seconds. This provides the team with a good chunk of time to get settled if they’re not going with a hurry-up offense. This also allows teams to burn off a lot of clock if they have a lead late in games. Running the ball and killing the clock is a good strategy with a healthy lead in the 4th quarter (are you listening, Kyle Shanahan?). However, the XFL wants to speed things up and prevent teams from having the luxury of sitting on leads by draining the play clock out. The clock is only 25 seconds in the XFL, so offenses must go faster to keep things moving. This should translate to keeping fans more interested instead of having to wait over 30 seconds for a new play in the NFL. Think of hurry-up offenses in college and how fast they operate. The XFL is hoping that play resembles something like that.

3. Double Forward Pass

We are familiar with a lateral and pass behind the line of scrimmage in the NFL. It’s commonly used with the quarterback lateraling the ball to a running back or wide receiver, and then they pull the ball back for a pass. A flea flicker is perfectly legal in the NFL, too. What can’t happen is if the ball is passed forward, then the receiver cannot pass the ball again. It has to be a lateral first before another pass can be made, even if it’s behind the line scrimmage.

If the receiver catches the ball behind the line of scrimmage, and executes a pass, this is a perfectly legal play in the XFL. In other words, there can be two forward passes made behind the line of scrimmage in the XFL. There will be no debates if a quarterback threw a ball back instead of forward to a receiver in this league. Things should get pretty interesting, and offensive coordinators can get creative, with this wrinkle on offense.

? DOUBLE FORWARD PASS ?

The first time in XFL history we've seen a team take advantage of this rule.pic.twitter.com/iZK0UDp7ss

— Sporting News (@sportingnews) February 15, 2020

4. Point(s) After Touchdown

For the longest time, the NFL PAT was automatic for kickers. All they needed to do was hit a 20-yard field for a point. That was moved back to a 33-yard field goal in 2015 to make things a bit more difficult and interesting. In the XFL, they’ve removed kickers from the equation altogether. Offenses must stay on the field and go for either a 1-point, 2-point, or 3-point play. It’s simple, if you want to try for 1-point, a play will be run from the 2-yard line. For teams that want to attempt 2 points, they will have to go from the 5-yard line. A 3-point play will have to be converted from the 10-yard line. With this in place, teams will be capable of pulling off some big comebacks in the XFL.

5. Running Game Clock

A running game clock on incomplete passes is not new to professional football. This is a play taken out of the Arena Football playbook. In the NFL, the clock will stop on incomplete passes. Conversely, the XFL will keep the clock running to speed the game up. Also keep in mind that the clock won’t pause when runners go out of bounds. However, with under 2 minutes remaining in the game, then the clock will stop on incompletions.

6. Overtime Rules

The NFL evolved ever so slightly when it came to overtime. They got rid of sudden death with a field goal in 2012, allowing both teams to get a chance to score if a field goal is the first points on the board. However, if a touchdown is scored by a team, then the game is done. A portion of fans have been bargaining for both teams getting an opportunity with the ball regardless if a touchdown is scored on the opening drive. There hasn’t been any movement in that regard yet, but the XFL is attempting to make those fans happy.

Xfl Rules Explained

The XFL is utilizing a five-round “shootout” format resembling something from the NHL. Each team gets five plays from the 5-yard line to score a touchdown. If each team is tied after their five opportunities, then it will go to sudden death overtime. This provides a fast overtime that is decided quickly, and both teams will have a chance with the ball in their hands. Out of all the differences between the XFL and NFL, this might be my favorite of the bunch.

7. Comeback Period (2-minute warning)

Teams will not be able to run the clock out under the 2-minute warning. Along with the 25-second play clock, which hurts teams with leads in the 4th quarter, the comeback period is another nuisance that teams with leads must look out for. When a team runs the ball with under 2 minutes remaining in the 2nd and 4th quarter, the game clock will stop until the ball has been spotted and 5 seconds has run off the play clock. If a team has no timeouts remaining and they’re behind in the game, then this rule helps them out a lot. Of course, in the NFL, timeouts are the only way to stop the clock on running plays after the 2-minute warning hits. The XFL is attempting to find some games that have some comeback magic in them with this addition.

Xfl Rule Changes

8. Player Interviews

The media is unable to talk to players while the game is taking place in the NFL. Sideline reporters are able to get updates, and talk to coaches at halftime, but there aren’t in-game interviews taking place in the NFL. The XFL, which is one of the closest things to the old league, is trying to bring fans closer to the game. Players are not off limits and will be approached during the game. That includes microphones on players and coaches, which will be available to fans live during broadcasts. With regards to the NFL, they have mic’d up players and coaches, but isn’t relayed to fans until employees and producers have time to go through the footage for NFL programming after the game.

9. Video Replay Review Transparency

This has to do with how the XFL chooses to be transparent and allow viewers to eavesdrop on the review process for plays. Fans watching games will have the opportunity to listen to the conversation between the official on the field and the booth. There is also a camera positioned inside the review booth for fans to watch the process. This is much better than the NFL. We get no feedback during the review process. Networks have hired former officials to go through it with fans, but they’re shunned from listening in on the booth as well.

Xfl Rules Differences

For all of the criticism that has been levied against NFL officiating lately, they’d likely benefit from allowing fans to hear what’s going on during a review. That said, I’m not too confident in the NFL adopting this perspective.

10. Offensive Coordinator Microphones

The XFL loves to try and insert fans into the game as much as possible, hence player interviews during the game and mics on officials and in the review booth. Along with those innovations, the XFL wants fans to hear what plays are being called into the huddle. Communication between coaches and the quarterback is fair game in the XFL. That’s a big no-no in the NFL. Listening in to play calls is strictly forbidden and would result in heavy fines and loss of draft picks.

In the XFL, everyone, including fans are allowed to hear the offensive coordinator and his play call. Not only is this more immersive for fans, but this is also going to provide a headache for coaching staffs. This adds another thing to worry about when preparing for a game. It’s imperative that names for plays are changed up week-to-week. So, this does provide an interesting angle and more work for offensive coordinators as they prepare for their next opponent.

In Conclusion

Xfl Rules Differences 2020

There are other differences between the NFL and XFL that I didn’t go over in the top ten. However, I think you will be most interested in watching out for those differences. For instance, each team has only two timeouts in a half compared to three in the NFL. Also, receivers only need one foot down instead of two. That follows the same rules as college football, which is intended to result in more offense.

Xfl Rules Vs Nfl Rules Game

I like a lot of these rules and quirks that the XFL has introduced. Notably, the overtime should be entertaining, and there isn’t going to be any complaining about getting a chance for the offense to touch the ball. The transparency during video replay reviews is a nice touch as well. All in all, I think the XFL did a great job of not getting too corny, though still finding ways to differentiate themselves from the NFL.