Xfl Differences
Before the games kick-off this weekend, it is the perfect time to remind everyone of the brand new rules coming to the XFL. There are tons of differences from the XFL and NFL as it is time to look at those XFL 2020 rules. Grab some popcorn because there are a ton of new XFL 2020 rules for the brand new season. All rules are sourced from XFL.COM. NFL rules and their differences with each other After a nearly two-decade hiatus, the XFL is back and ready to provide fans with a fresh take on the gridiron game. The goal of the XFL is to give the people what they want.
It’s pretty obvious right away that the XFL is not the NFL. From the rules to the players to the quality of play, no this is not the NFL, but the XFL isn’t trying to emulate the top football league in the world. However, I will say that this is closer to a professional football league than the corny league we saw in 2001. Professional football is all about entertainment and making money, of course, but the original XFL was trying to insert the wacky world of professional wrestling into football. That is not the case in the XFL 2020, though there are some differences to give the audience something to talk about. That’s especially true when it comes to the rules of the XFL vs the NFL.
Most of the rule differences between the XFL and NFL have to do with gameplay. The officiating and fouls remain largely the same. One of the most interesting new XFL rules has to do with passing. In this league, players are able to pass the ball forward several times, as long as it has not passed the line of scrimmage. In the XFL, there are no kicked extra points after touchdowns. Instead, teams will have an option to run a play to score either 1, 2 or 3 extra points, creating the possibility for a 9-point.
There were some innovations in the original XFL that we saw the NFL adapt. The most notable of all is the overhead camera on the field, known as the sky cam. This was a revolutionary addition to football broadcasts at the time, but it’s so commonplace now that no one gives it much thought. That was a Vince McMahon idea that made its way over to the NFL. The XFL also introduced the idea of putting mics on players.
If I recall correctly, the dialogue on the field was transmitting to TV in real-time. The NFL doesn’t do that, but they do have certain players mic’d up that they’ll replay on NFL programming after the fact. The XFL is taking microphones a step further, with interviews taking place in-game on the sidelines. As far as other memorable additions the XFL had was a cheerleading camera in the locker room, which seemed something out of the WWE playbook, scripted and all. The “coin toss”, or scramble for the ball, in the original XFL was new too, but didn’t stick in the NFL or the rebirth of the XFL. For ten differences between the XFL 2020 and NFL jump below.
What Teams Are In The XFL 2020?
Will The XFL Succeed Or Fail?
1. Kickoffs
This rule was implemented with safety in mind by the XFL. The NFL is going to be watching to see if concussions on kickoffs decreases in the XFL. If that’s the case, don’t be surprised if the NFL steals this kickoff format from Vince McMahon’s league. The kickoff team and return team line up 5 yards apart in the receiving team’s side of the field on the 35-yard line and 30-yard line, while the kicker is in his normal position. Nobody is permitted to move besides the kicker and returner until the ball is caught. This takes away high speed collisions with players running at full speed into one another like in the NFL. In turn, we should see less concussions, and the XFL is hoping for some bigger plays from this as well.
The first kickoff return touchdown in XFL history was a work of art. pic.twitter.com/ocyKXmjYPX
— XFL (@xfl2020) February 24, 2020
2. Play Clock
The play clock in the NFL is 40 seconds. This provides the team with a good chunk of time to get settled if they’re not going with a hurry-up offense. This also allows teams to burn off a lot of clock if they have a lead late in games. Running the ball and killing the clock is a good strategy with a healthy lead in the 4th quarter (are you listening, Kyle Shanahan?). However, the XFL wants to speed things up and prevent teams from having the luxury of sitting on leads by draining the play clock out. The clock is only 25 seconds in the XFL, so offenses must go faster to keep things moving. This should translate to keeping fans more interested instead of having to wait over 30 seconds for a new play in the NFL. Think of hurry-up offenses in college and how fast they operate. The XFL is hoping that play resembles something like that.
3. Double Forward Pass
We are familiar with a lateral and pass behind the line of scrimmage in the NFL. It’s commonly used with the quarterback lateraling the ball to a running back or wide receiver, and then they pull the ball back for a pass. A flea flicker is perfectly legal in the NFL, too. What can’t happen is if the ball is passed forward, then the receiver cannot pass the ball again. It has to be a lateral first before another pass can be made, even if it’s behind the line scrimmage.
If the receiver catches the ball behind the line of scrimmage, and executes a pass, this is a perfectly legal play in the XFL. In other words, there can be two forward passes made behind the line of scrimmage in the XFL. There will be no debates if a quarterback threw a ball back instead of forward to a receiver in this league. Things should get pretty interesting, and offensive coordinators can get creative, with this wrinkle on offense.
? DOUBLE FORWARD PASS ?
The first time in XFL history we've seen a team take advantage of this rule.pic.twitter.com/iZK0UDp7ss
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) February 15, 2020
4. Point(s) After Touchdown
For the longest time, the NFL PAT was automatic for kickers. All they needed to do was hit a 20-yard field for a point. That was moved back to a 33-yard field goal in 2015 to make things a bit more difficult and interesting. In the XFL, they’ve removed kickers from the equation altogether. Offenses must stay on the field and go for either a 1-point, 2-point, or 3-point play. It’s simple, if you want to try for 1-point, a play will be run from the 2-yard line. For teams that want to attempt 2 points, they will have to go from the 5-yard line. A 3-point play will have to be converted from the 10-yard line. With this in place, teams will be capable of pulling off some big comebacks in the XFL.
5. Running Game Clock
A running game clock on incomplete passes is not new to professional football. This is a play taken out of the Arena Football playbook. In the NFL, the clock will stop on incomplete passes. Conversely, the XFL will keep the clock running to speed the game up. Also keep in mind that the clock won’t pause when runners go out of bounds. However, with under 2 minutes remaining in the game, then the clock will stop on incompletions.
6. Overtime Rules
Xfl Differences Vs Nfl
The NFL evolved ever so slightly when it came to overtime. They got rid of sudden death with a field goal in 2012, allowing both teams to get a chance to score if a field goal is the first points on the board. However, if a touchdown is scored by a team, then the game is done. A portion of fans have been bargaining for both teams getting an opportunity with the ball regardless if a touchdown is scored on the opening drive. There hasn’t been any movement in that regard yet, but the XFL is attempting to make those fans happy.
The XFL is utilizing a five-round “shootout” format resembling something from the NHL. Each team gets five plays from the 5-yard line to score a touchdown. If each team is tied after their five opportunities, then it will go to sudden death overtime. This provides a fast overtime that is decided quickly, and both teams will have a chance with the ball in their hands. Out of all the differences between the XFL and NFL, this might be my favorite of the bunch.
7. Comeback Period (2-minute warning)
Teams will not be able to run the clock out under the 2-minute warning. Along with the 25-second play clock, which hurts teams with leads in the 4th quarter, the comeback period is another nuisance that teams with leads must look out for. When a team runs the ball with under 2 minutes remaining in the 2nd and 4th quarter, the game clock will stop until the ball has been spotted and 5 seconds has run off the play clock. If a team has no timeouts remaining and they’re behind in the game, then this rule helps them out a lot. Of course, in the NFL, timeouts are the only way to stop the clock on running plays after the 2-minute warning hits. The XFL is attempting to find some games that have some comeback magic in them with this addition.
8. Player Interviews
The media is unable to talk to players while the game is taking place in the NFL. Sideline reporters are able to get updates, and talk to coaches at halftime, but there aren’t in-game interviews taking place in the NFL. The XFL, which is one of the closest things to the old league, is trying to bring fans closer to the game. Players are not off limits and will be approached during the game. That includes microphones on players and coaches, which will be available to fans live during broadcasts. With regards to the NFL, they have mic’d up players and coaches, but isn’t relayed to fans until employees and producers have time to go through the footage for NFL programming after the game.
9. Video Replay Review Transparency
This has to do with how the XFL chooses to be transparent and allow viewers to eavesdrop on the review process for plays. Fans watching games will have the opportunity to listen to the conversation between the official on the field and the booth. There is also a camera positioned inside the review booth for fans to watch the process. This is much better than the NFL. We get no feedback during the review process. Networks have hired former officials to go through it with fans, but they’re shunned from listening in on the booth as well.
For all of the criticism that has been levied against NFL officiating lately, they’d likely benefit from allowing fans to hear what’s going on during a review. That said, I’m not too confident in the NFL adopting this perspective.
10. Offensive Coordinator Microphones
The XFL loves to try and insert fans into the game as much as possible, hence player interviews during the game and mics on officials and in the review booth. Along with those innovations, the XFL wants fans to hear what plays are being called into the huddle. Communication between coaches and the quarterback is fair game in the XFL. That’s a big no-no in the NFL. Listening in to play calls is strictly forbidden and would result in heavy fines and loss of draft picks.
In the XFL, everyone, including fans are allowed to hear the offensive coordinator and his play call. Not only is this more immersive for fans, but this is also going to provide a headache for coaching staffs. This adds another thing to worry about when preparing for a game. It’s imperative that names for plays are changed up week-to-week. So, this does provide an interesting angle and more work for offensive coordinators as they prepare for their next opponent.
In Conclusion
There are other differences between the NFL and XFL that I didn’t go over in the top ten. However, I think you will be most interested in watching out for those differences. For instance, each team has only two timeouts in a half compared to three in the NFL. Also, receivers only need one foot down instead of two. That follows the same rules as college football, which is intended to result in more offense.
I like a lot of these rules and quirks that the XFL has introduced. Notably, the overtime should be entertaining, and there isn’t going to be any complaining about getting a chance for the offense to touch the ball. The transparency during video replay reviews is a nice touch as well. All in all, I think the XFL did a great job of not getting too corny, though still finding ways to differentiate themselves from the NFL.
World Wrestling Entertainment events begin with a montage showing the company’s history, framed by three words: Then. Now. Forever.
Then: 19 years ago this week, on February 3, 2001, the first incarnation of the XFL, created by WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon as a direct alternative to the NFL, held Opening Night of its first and only season.
Now: This Saturday, February 8, 2020, the second incarnation of the XFL kicks off.
Forever: That’s pushing it, considering the dismal track record of spring professional football leagues in the United States.
But there are clear differences between the old XFL and new XFL, contrasting the statement McMahon wanted to make in 2001 with the different goals of the new incarnation.
Begin with the ball. From All-XFL.com: “When it came time to decide what the [2001] XFL ball would look like, league officials were not going to settle on the same old, boring brown pigskin that other leagues traditionally use. Rather, the XFL wanted their balls to have more attitude, just as its players will have.” That black football proved to be too slippery in wet conditions — so league president Basil DeVito sandpapered the ball’s surface to restore its grip. The 2020 XFL’s football is brown, with each football featuring the home coloring of the eight XFL teams and that coloring extended to X’s on either side of the ball. In the league’s official press release, the ball’s “X-Pebble grip technology” is touted as “help[ing] players control the ball with a feel that enables a tight spin on throws, and also allows ball carriers to enhance their ball security.” A clear change in priorities, and the hint of advance planning.
Xfl Differences
The number of teams remains the same from 2001 to 2020, as does the length of regular season: an eight-team league playing ten games leading up to the postseason. But the facilities are notably different. The 2001 XFL specifically sought natural grass stadiums: the Birmingham Thunderbolts at Legion Field, Chicago Enforcers at Soldier Field, New York/New Jersey Hitmen at Giants Stadium, Orlando Rage at the Citrus Bowl (now Camping World Stadium), Los Angeles Xtreme at the Coliseum, Las Vegas Outlaws at Sam Boyd Stadium, Memphis Maniax at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, and San Francisco Demons at Pacific Bell Park (now Oracle Park, home of MLB’s Giants). Interestingly, Legion Field, Soldier Field, the Citrus Bowl, Giants Stadium, Sam Boyd Stadium, and Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium have all gone through major periods with artificial surfaces — but not in 2001, when the XFL was looking for natural grass sites.
In 2020, league standards have changed along with the quality of modern-day synthetic surfaces: Three XFL teams, the DC Defenders, Los Angeles Wildcats, and Tampa Bay Vipers, will play on grass. The other five, the Dallas Renegades, Houston Roughnecks, New York Guardians, St. Louis BattleHawks, and Seattle Dragons, will host their games on turf.
Notice how those team names and brands are markedly different from 2001 to 2020. From a glorifying of branded violence 19 years ago, the XFL’s franchises have changed to stylish embraces of city identities. Houston’s logo features an oil derrick, harkening to the city’s former NFL franchise, the Oilers. (All 2020 XFL team logos are pictured above.)
The embrace of violence from the 2001 XFL was borne out by the league’s rule innovations. Games began with a ‘scramble’ in lieu of a coin toss, with two players sprinting from the 30-yard line after a football placed at midfield; on Opening Night, Orlando’s Hassan Shamsid-Deen separated his shoulder in the scramble, ending his season. The 2001 XFL encouraged bump-and-run coverage in the secondary — but it discovered what the NFL already knew, which was that this proved too difficult to overcome in the passing game. A month into the season, the XFL reversed course and banned the bump-and-run in a bid to add more scoring and excitement to its defensive-dominated games. Old school grind-it-out football wasn’t as exciting as it used to be.
The 2020 XFL’s rule innovations, meanwhile, prioritize pace of play for brisker games: a 25-second play clock (rather than the NFL’s 40-second play clock), shortening halftime to ten minutes and timeouts to one minute (with each team only receiving two timeouts per half), introducing a ball-spotting official whose only job is to get the ball ready for play as quickly as possible, and an up-tempo game clock that rolls as soon as the ball is spotted for play, even following incompletions, unless inside the final two minutes of each half. Inside those final two minutes, the game changes. If a play ends with the player down inbounds, the clock stops until five seconds have elapsed on the play clock, thus allowing more time for a comeback and denying kneel downs from draining the final two minutes. Another key change: While the 2001 XFL banned fair catches, allowing the chance for greater collisions on punt returns, the 2020 XFL permits (though discourages) fair catches while giving returners greater freedom for returns by not allowing the punting team to cover the punt until the ball is safely booted upward and onward. If there are injuries, as there assuredly will be, the 2020 XFL comes complete with its own practice squad, Team 9, with a corps of players practicing in Arlington, TX, waiting for their chance to be signed during the season.
Both the 2001 and 2020 XFL did identify a clear area to separate from the NFL and orthodox football: No extra-point kicks following touchdowns. In 2001, XFL teams were forced to run a play from the 2-yard line to pick up an extra point. The current XFL is going deeper, giving offenses the choice of going for one, two or three points, depending on if they choose to run a play from the 2-yard line, 5-yard line, or 10-yard line.
Perhaps the biggest difference between the two different XFLs is shown in the leagues’ broadcast presentations. The 2001 XFL saw Vince McMahon walk out to midfield, microphone in hand, to growl, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is the XFL,” as if still in his Monday Night RAW persona. The Rock, before he became box office star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, gave a full-on wrestling promo leading up to a game. RAW commentators Jim Ross and Jerry “the King” Lawler served as one of the league’s broadcast teams; Jesse Ventura worked on another; RAW commentator Jonathan Coachman served as sideline reporter. The implications were clear: The XFL and the WWE, though at that point still the WWF, were inextricably tied. Narratives were forced and hotshotted, from a feud between Ventura and New York/New Jersey’s head coach, Rusty Tillman, to the sexualized way the league’s cheerleaders were presented, which led to a brief demotion for lead broadcaster Matt Vasgersian after he did not react on air as enthusiastically as his bosses wished to the cheerleaders dancing in the crowd.
Now, consider the 2020 XFL’s announced broadcast teams: Kevin Burkhardt, Steve Levy, Tom Hart, Curt Menefee on play-by-play, with Joel Klatt, Greg McElroy, Joey Galloway, Tom Luginbill, and Pat McAfee as analysts. Each brings football broadcast credibility to the airwaves.
There were more than a few memorable aspects from the 2001 XFL beyond its failures. Major League Baseball’s Players Weekends see the players wear their nicknames on the backs of their jerseys; the XFL did it first. The XFL’s players were mic’ed up, the coaches were interviewed during games, halftime speeches were recorded and aired, players individually introduced themselves to the camera, and the Sky Cam zoomed about the field above the players. These have all stuck around, to increasing use, in today’s football broadcasts. They, too, are the XFL’s legacy.
That was then. This Saturday is now for the new XFL.
Xfl League Differences
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