The NCAA football rules committee recently unveiled a new proposal aimed at addressing the issue of faking injuries during games. The proposal suggests that if a player goes down due to injury after the ball is spotted for the next play, the team will be charged an injury timeout. In cases where a team is out of timeouts, a five-yard penalty for delay of game will be imposed. This proposal, along with several others, will be up for approval by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel on April 16.
Addressing the Issue of Faking Injuries
Faking injuries has become a prevalent tactic used to slow down an offense’s momentum and tempo. The committee noted that many of these incidents occur not at the end of the play but after the play has concluded. NCAA coordinator of officials Steve Shaw emphasized that the proposed rule change aims to discourage players from feigning injuries after a play is over. The committee plans to closely monitor the impact of this proposal once implemented to assess its effectiveness in curbing such behavior.
The proposal stands in contrast to a more drastic suggestion put forth by the American Football Coaches Association, which recommended that any player who goes down for injury should sit out the remainder of the drive. One of the concerns raised by the committee against this proposal was the potential risk of players with genuine injuries feeling pressured to continue playing despite their condition.
Other Rule Proposals and Implications
In addition to the proposal addressing faking injuries, the rules committee revealed several other proposals that were inspired by incidents from the previous season. One such proposal pertains to instances where a defense fields 12 players during the final two minutes of a game, resulting in a five-yard penalty and potential clock reset for the offense. This rule change stemmed from an incident involving Oregon using 12 players against Ohio State in October.
Another proposed rule change suggests limiting teams to one timeout during the third overtime period and beyond. This recommendation follows a game between Georgia and Georgia Tech that extended to eight overtimes and saw multiple timeouts called in the final overtime periods. Furthermore, a proposal to penalize kick return teams using the “T” arm signal was introduced after an incident during the Citrus Bowl.
The Future of Targeting, Coach Challenges, and Substitutions
While no new proposals were put forth regarding targeting, coach challenges, or substitutions, these areas will receive increased focus moving forward. Targeting penalties, which have been a source of contention due to perceived inconsistency, are under scrutiny. The committee is considering a recommendation on targeting that will be presented to conference commissioners for feedback.
The potential adoption of a coach challenge replay format similar to the NFL is still being debated. Despite discussions on the matter, there is currently insufficient support for such a change. Substitutions, which gained attention due to defensive teams subbing slowly in response to offensive substitutions, are also being closely monitored. Officials are tasked with ensuring fair play and preventing deliberate delays in substitutions that could disrupt the game flow.
As the NCAA football rules committee continues to evaluate and refine the rules governing the game, the focus remains on maintaining the integrity and competitiveness of college football. By addressing issues like faking injuries and exploring potential rule changes in response to game incidents, the committee aims to enhance the overall experience for players, coaches, and fans alike. The upcoming decisions made by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel will shape the future of college football and set the stage for a more streamlined and fair game.
