Rule 1-4-5-s, Eye Shields
Change: In the illegal equipment rules, only eye shields that are completely clear will be allowed.
Rationale: In reports from the NCAA’s Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sport and the National Athletic Trainers Association, both groups supported eliminating this allowance. Both groups noted that there are alternatives to the helmet shields if an eye condition warrants protection (contact lenses, sport goggles, etc.). Coaches in the NCAA rules survey also overwhelmingly supported the change.
Rule 2-15-4-c, Kicking Tee
Change: A tee is a device that elevates the ball for kicking purposes. It may not elevate the ball’s lowest point more than one-inch about the ground (A.R.2-15-4-1).
Rationale: The change from a two-inch tee to a one-inch tee could lessen the number of touchbacks.
Rule 3-2-1-b, Halftime
Change: The intermission between halves, which begins when the field is clear of all players and coaches, shall be 20 minutes. The home team administration may lengthen or shorten the 20 minutes by previous agreement of the visiting team administration.
Rationale: This is an attempt to shorten the length of time it takes to play the game.
Rule 3-2-5, When Clock Starts
Change: When the ball is free-kicked, the game clock will be started and subsequently stopped when the ball is dead by rule.
Rationale: By starting the clock when the foot touches the ball on kicks, the length of time to play the game will be less.
Rule 3-2-5-e, When Clock Starts
Change: When Team B is awarded a first down, the clock will be stopped and will start on the ready for play signal.
Rationale: By starting the clock, the committee estimates it will shorten the game by about five minutes, according to studies by several Division I-A conferences.
Rule 3-3-3-f-4, Referee’s Discretionary Timeout
Change: To delete the rule relating to excessive crowd noise.
Rationale: This rule is rarely used in the game currently, as most teams use hand signals to communicate. Additionally, this rule is largely unenforceable.
Rule 7-1-3-b, Procedural Fouls
Change: “Penalty – For live ball fouls occurring when the snap starts during scrimmage kick plays: Five yards from the previous spot or five yards from the spot where the subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B (Field goal plays exempted).”
Rationale: The receiving team will have the option of accepting the penalty after the return or forcing the kicking team to kick again five yards from the original line of scrimmage. This could eliminate some unnecessary re-kicks.
Rule 8-3-2, Opportunity to Score
Change: To alter the rule to read: The ball shall be put by the team that scored a six-point touchdown. If a touchdown is scored during a down in which time in the fourth period expires, try shall not be attempted unless the point(s) would affect the outcome of the game.
Rationale: This is mainly an editorial change, but this makes it clear that a team scoring with no time left is not required to attempt an extra point.
NEW Rule 12, Instant Replay
Change: To add the following procedure to the rules book, as an optional permissive rule.
Rationale: After successful experimentation in the past two football seasons, all Division I-A conferences have requested a uniform system of replay to be included in the rules book. As this is permissive, not mandated, the rules would allow for growth without forcing all institutions and conferences to use video review. The committee notes that overall game times increased by two minutes in Division I-A, with several conferences that used replay reporting shorter game times.
Section 1. Definition
Definition
Article 1.
Instant Replay is a system utilizing electronic means to review and assist game officials with certain on-field decisions as listed in Section 3.
Section 2. Eligibility for Instant Replay Participation
Article 1.
a. Any member institution may use instant replay. This rule is permissive, not a requirement. If instant replay is used, it must be used in full compliance with this rule.
b. For any non-conference game, if the home team is using instant replay, the visiting team does not have the option of declining its use for that game. If the home team is not using instant replay, the visiting team does not have the option of requesting that it be used in that game.
Section 3. Reviewable Plays
Sideline, Goal Line, End Line
Article 1.
Reviewable plays governed by a sideline, goal line or an end line include:
a. Scoring plays, including a runner in possession of a live ball breaking the plane of a goal line.
b. A pass ruled complete, incomplete or intercepted at the sideline, goal line or an end line.
c. A runner or pass receiver ruled in or out of bounds.
d. Recovery of a loose ball in or out of bounds in the field of play or an endzone.
Passes Article 2. Reviewable plays involving passes include:
a. A pass ruled complete, incomplete or intercepted anywhere in the field of play or an endzone.
b. A legal forward pass touched by an ineligible receiver.
c. A legal forward pass touched by a defensive player.
d. A fumble ruled on the part of a potential passer. (Note: if the on-field ruling is a forward pass and the pass is incomplete, the play is not reviewable).
e. A forward pass or forward handing ruled when a runner is beyond the line of scrimmage.
f. A forward pass or forward handing ruled after change of possession.
g. A pass ruled forward or backward when thrown from behind the line of scrimmage. (Exception: If the pass is ruled forward and is incomplete, the play is not reviewable).
Miscellaneous
Article 3.
Miscellaneous reviewable plays include:
a. A runner judged to have been not down by rule. (Note: If a runner is ruled down, the play is not reviewable).
b. A runner’s forward progress with respect to a first down.
c. Touching of any type kick by any player.
d. The number of players participating by either team during a live ball.
e. A scrimmage kicker beyond the line of scrimmage when the ball is kicked.
f. Clock adjustment when a ruling on the field is reversed.
g. A fumble recovery by a Team A player during the fourth down or a try and before any change of possession.
Plays Not Reviewable
Article 4.
No other plays or officiating decisions are reviewable.
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NCAA Football Rules Changes for 2006
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Originally Posted by Willie Bee
