(Montreal) The Canadian Football League has decided to focus on what it considers to be its three greatest strengths: a large field, exciting kickoff returns and high scores. In order to make the most of these aspects, it has modified some of its rules.
Posted at 2:27 p.m.
First, the hatch lines will be positioned closer to the center of the terrain. Each will be located 28 yards from the sideline rather than 24 yards. Therefore, they will be nine yards apart rather than 17 yards. In this way, the league hopes that teams will use the full field and their playbooks.
Some circuit executives felt that the original placement of the hash marks “too often” had the effect of eliminating the 12and player, the receiver on the far side, a play directed towards him being deemed too risky.
Ambrosia circuit attacks will now have less ground to cover. After a field goal or a single, offensive series will start at the 40 line, rather than the 35 line. Teams kicking off—anytime—will do so from the 30 line. rather than from the 35 line. The only exception are kickoffs following a safety touchdown, which will be from the 20 line rather than the 25 line .
This change should result in better starting positions on the field on an offensive streak.
We will also be more severe on the non-respect of immunity during kicks. All penalties for breach of immunity will be 15 yards, regardless of whether the ball was caught in flight or after touching the ground. In addition, a punt that goes into touch before reaching the 15-line instead of the opponent’s 20-line will be assessed a penalty.
Other changes include:
– The possibility of having two quarterbacks on the field, provided that all ratio rules are respected;
– Two additional officials will be posted on the bench of each team in order to communicate with the chief referee to speed up the progress of the match;
– a penalty awarded at the end of the first or third quarter could be awarded at the start of the following quarter, unless the team which was not penalized insists that it be applied immediately if the situation is at its disposal advantage ;
– The circumstances under which the replay center will be allowed to assist officials on the pitch without being challenged by a coach or officials having to regroup on the pitch will be expanded to include decisions possession, boundary decisions and administrative rules such as a no-winger formation or ineligible receivers;
– Created a new misconduct penalty for quarterbacks who fake initiating a slide — and ending a play while carrying the ball. The ball would be replaced where the fake slide occurred. The safety of all quarterbacks is compromised when measures designed to protect them are instead used to gain an advantage, CFL believes;
– Automatic ejection of any player guilty of two excessive roughness penalties or two misconduct penalties (or a combination of both) for infractions that occur after a play.
“Throughout the year, we will measure the impact of these changes to see if they make our sport more fun, more exciting and faster. We have great supporters, and we want more. We have great players and we want to show off their incredible skills. Deploying a great product on the field is a first step as we work together to grow our league. »
“Our most comprehensive and collaborative product analysis in our history has led us here: the next step in our mission to make our football as fun, exciting and as fast as possible,” said Randy Ambrosie, commissioner of the CFL.
Ambrosie acknowledged that some of the changes are marginal, but he says it will allow the CFL to monitor the results and consider other changes in the future, if they are needed or deemed beneficial.