2025 Football rule changes

[Leroy Jenkins]

Defensive substitutions. Subs need to move in/out of the game at an "athletic pace". How does one objectively determine "athletic pace"? Is it different for DBs in December vs DL in September?

Faking injuries. If a defensive player goes down with an injury after the ball is spotted for play the team will be charged a timeout. Before the ball is spotted, it's an official's timeout per usual. If there are no TO's remaining it will by 5 yard delay of game penalty.

If a player on the receiving team signals a "T" with their arms during a kickoff, the return is automatically forfeited, and the play is blown dead.

The two-minute warning will now be a standard feature at the end of each half, stopping the clock and triggering other timing rules.

Video reviews will no longer be "Confirmed, Stands", etc. Now, it will be the ruling is "upheld" or "overturned"

Defenses not allowed shifts to induce false starts. DL can stem laterally but without extra arm movements like reaching into the neutral zone or moving slightly forward when they stem. Anything that simulates the ball being snapped is not allowed. The terms "move" and "stem" are reserved for defensive cadence and may not be used by the offense. The offense may use a clap as a starting signal and this signal may not be used by the defense.

[FISHDAWG]

Thanks for the update... I haven't heard this yet

[Pancho]

good stuff

[HoopsDawg]

That's not going to deter faking injuries.

[Tater]

That's not going to deter faking injuries.

Yea but it definitely stops the ones that look awful midgame. The sniper ones after the ball has been spotted can't happen anymore. It's about as good as you can reasonably get.

[Pancho]

That's not going to deter faking injuries.

Should they have just left the issue alone and done nothing here?

[HoopsDawg]

Should they have just left the issue alone and done nothing here?

If you stop the game for an injury, you have to sit out the series.

[parabrave]

How about no more biker shorts for uniforms. I will agree with Deion on that one and no more skin tight jersies where the linemen can't even get them down past their stomach. I rather see the old Cut Offs like we used to wear.

[DawgFromOxford]

If you stop the game for an injury, you have to sit out the series.

This the correct answer.

[parabrave]

This the correct answer.

Half way correct. The full correct answer is you go to the lockerroom and get checked out by a medical person not associated with the team. if your cramping then you go get out of the heat and get fluids shoved in you till you have to piss. That should take a half.

[Pancho]

If you stop the game for an injury, you have to sit out the series.

what if a team doesn't sub on defense til 12 seconds on the play clock which causes the offense a delay penalty or use a TO. I'm sure you know

[GoDawgz]

Faking injuries. If a defensive player goes down with an injury after the ball is spotted for play the team will be charged a timeout. Before the ball is spotted, it's an official's timeout per usual. If there are no TO's remaining it will by 5 yard delay of game penalty.

Did they name it the Ole Miss rule? ")

[Lord McBuckethead]

Defensive substitutions. Subs need to move in/out of the game at an "athletic pace". How does one objectively determine "athletic pace"? Is it different for DBs in December vs DL in September?

Faking injuries. If a defensive player goes down with an injury after the ball is spotted for play the team will be charged a timeout. Before the ball is spotted, it's an official's timeout per usual. If there are no TO's remaining it will by 5 yard delay of game penalty.

If a player on the receiving team signals a "T" with their arms during a kickoff, the return is automatically forfeited, and the play is blown dead.

The two-minute warning will now be a standard feature at the end of each half, stopping the clock and triggering other timing rules.

Video reviews will no longer be "Confirmed, Stands", etc. Now, it will be the ruling is "upheld" or "overturned"

Defenses not allowed shifts to induce false starts. DL can stem laterally but without extra arm movements like reaching into the neutral zone or moving slightly forward when they stem. Anything that simulates the ball being snapped is not allowed. The terms "move" and "stem" are reserved for defensive cadence and may not be used by the offense. The offense may use a clap as a starting signal and this signal may not be used by the defense.

Here is my take. The ball out of bounds or an incomplete pass should stop the clock no matter when it happens in the game.

As a receiving team, I would automatically do the T every time an onside kick happens.

They should require the injured player to stay out for the remainder of the possession or until a timeout is called.

[Leroy Jenkins]

Here is my take. The ball out of bounds or an incomplete pass should stop the clock no matter when it happens in the game.

As a receiving team, I would automatically do the T every time an onside kick happens.

They should require the injured player to stay out for the remainder of the possession or until a timeout is called.

I don't think you can fair catch a ball that has hit the ground.