Rule change to allow for defensive substitutions....Plus Targeting rule change

[NDSUstudent]

This is a big rule change....

Defensive Substitutions

The committee also recommended a rules change that will allow defensive units to substitute within the first 10 seconds of the 40-second play clock, with the exception of the final two minutes of each half, starting with the 2014 season.

“This rules change is being made to enhance student-athlete safety by guaranteeing a small window for both teams to substitute,” said Calhoun. “As the average number of plays per game has increased, this issue has been discussed with greater frequency by the committee in recent years and we felt like it was time to act in the interests of protecting our student-athletes.”

Under this rule proposal, the offense will not be allowed to snap the ball until the play clock reaches 29 seconds or less. If the offense snaps the ball before the play clock reaches 29 seconds, a 5-yard, delay-of-game penalty will be assessed. Under current rules, defensive players are not guaranteed an opportunity to substitute unless the offense substitutes first. This part of the rule will remain in place in scenarios where the play clock starts at 25 seconds.

The committee discussed the issue thoroughly before coming to the conclusion that defensive teams should be allowed some period of time to substitute. The committee believes that 10 seconds provides sufficient time for defensive player substitutions without inhibiting the ability of an offense to play at a fast pace. Research indicated that teams with fast-paced, no-huddle offenses rarely snap the ball with 30 seconds or more on the play clock. This rules proposal also aligns with a request from the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports that sport rules committees review substitution rules in regards to player safety.

In the NCAA’s non-rules change years, proposals can only be made for student-athlete safety reasons or modifications that enhance the intent of a previous rules change.

Last season, the targeting rule was implemented and any player committing the penalty would be ejected and his team assessed a 15-yard penalty.

The committee recommended that if the instant replay official rules that a disqualification should not have occurred, and if the targeting foul is not accompanied by another personal foul, the 15-yard penalty for targeting should not be enforced.

However, if the targeting foul is committed in conjunction with another personal foul, the 15-yard penalty for that personal foul remains. For example, if a player is called for roughing the passer and targeting the head and neck area, but the instant replay official rules that targeting did not occur, the player flagged would remain in the game, but the roughing the passer penalty would still be enforced.

http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/...rule-defensive

[heckler]

How many times have we seen NDSU make a big play, end up at the goal line with inches to go, and Brock would run to the line of scrimmage and QB sneak it in before the defense has a chance to sub? Is it really helping the safety of the student athletes?

[NDSUstudent]

I'd say the rule changes really favors our style of play. We huddle routinely and substitute heavily on defense.

That said I do agree that change is kind of dumb...what happens if a team is down by 14 points with a five minutes to play in the game?

[SDbison]

Another dumb ass rule by those who like to fuck up the game of football..........gotta love the "delay of game penalty" for snapping the ball in the first 10 seconds it's supposed to be in play.........what a bunch of idiots at the NCAA!

[ndsubison1]

favors our style of play but hate this rule. ncaa continuing to make their sports quality of play worse...

[NDSUstudent]

At least they fixed the targeting rule, nothing like getting a 15 yard penalty for a something that video review confirms didn't happen.

Now all we have to do is get video review allowed in the MVFC.

[ndsubison1]

hope to God the 10 second rule proposal doesnt pass. doesnt seem like it would. they need more data to prove hurry up offense risks player safety. plus i think it's rare a team snaps it with 30 seconds or more?

[Bisonguy]

More stupid rule changes. They should go back to 15 a side, they way football was meant to be played.

[HerdBot]

Say goodbye to the hurry up offense!

[HerdBot]

favors our style of play but hate this rule. ncaa continuing to make their sports quality of play worse...

Yeah we rarely snap the ball with less than 5 seconds left anyway and it seemed like teams had success running the hurry up on our defense