(Toronto) The Canadian Football League will make changes to its rules on undersized blocks and Command Center interventions in 2024.
Thus, a player playing in the backfield – regardless of his position when the ball is handed over – can cross the offensive formation and block below the waist a defensive player aligned opposite or diagonally from the blocker when the ball is handed over. , if the block takes place in the zone where blocks below the waist are permitted.
This modification removes the requirement that the player playing in the backfield must be in the zone where blocks below the waist are permitted when passing the ball and makes the game easier to referee, in addition to strengthening the player safety by limiting those who can legally block below the waist.
The Command Center may revise the penalties for non-compliance with immunity, which are added to the list of infractions that can be automatically corrected by the video replay center in the event that officials on the field have committed a mistake. This penalty still remains an infraction that a coach can contest.
The penalty for tripping the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage is added to the list of infractions that can be reviewed by the replay center and can now be challenged by a coach.
Finally, coaches can strategically employ a timeout to provide more time for the video replay center to automatically review a play they are not authorized to contest. Coaches will still be allowed two timeouts per game, only one of which may be used during the last three minutes of play in the fourth quarter.
The Ambrosie circuit has, however, decided that no changes will be made to kickoffs. However, the league’s rules committee – made up of CFL head coaches and representatives from the Canadian Association of Professional Football Officials (CAFFA), the CFL Players’ Association (CJLCF) and the CFL office the CFL – created a subcommittee to further analyze potential regulations aimed at limiting the speed and distance of collisions on kickoffs.
The committee will notably monitor the implementation for the next NFL season of the kicking system used in the XFL.