Post by Coach Campbell on Dec 16, 2010 7:22:14 GMT
NCAA Implements Rule Changes For 2010/2011 Seasons
April 17, 2010 — By Scott
The NCAA's Playing Rules Oversight Panel had a busy day on Thursday and have implemented three new rule changes that will take effect this fall and in 2011. Wedge blocks and eye black with messages will not be allowed this upcoming season and in 2011, taunting in the field of play will cost the teams points.
Banning wedge blocks was decided based on the safety of players on kickoffs. NCAA studies have found that 20 percent of injuries that come on kickoffs result in concussions. The NFL banned wedge blocking a year ago and now college football will follow the same guidelines.
"Everybody is looking to make sure we have a safe environment for the players," said Grant Teaff, executive director of the American Football Coaches Association. "On kickoffs, you have a lot of steam on both sides and you usually have what is called a 'wedge buster.' This will eliminate some of that."
A 15-yard penalty will now be assessed to the receiving team on a kickoff when they have two players standing within two yards of each other, shoulder to shoulder, according to the new rule. A reduction in concussions is the reason for the rule change that came in an off-year of the typical two-year process. Texas head coach Mack Brown is in full agreement with the change.
"Studies are showing that we are having more concussions across the country on kickoffs than in the past, so it makes sense to try to find a way to address that," Brown said Thursday. "But we all need to look at the meaning of a wedge block and clearly define it. If we have a clear set of rules on that and officials can call it consistently, we can prepare our players differently on kickoff return blocking and hopefully help better protect our kids."
The taunting rule change that will go into effect in 2011 is another area that most coaches feel needs to be addressed. Live-ball penalties will now be slapped on players and the score will be eliminated for those players who do things such as high step into the end zone or point the ball towards an opponent. However, celebration penalties that occur following a score will be assessed on kickoff attempts or conversion attempts. Indiana head coach Bill Lynch is in full support of the new rule.
"Just run it into the end zone, how hard is that?" he said after a spring practice. "It is a team game and that's what makes it such a great game."
The NCAA is obviously looking to clean up college football with these two rule changes, along with banning eye black with messages that became popular by Reggie Bush and Tim Tebow. In another area, coaches boxes will now be required to have television monitors starting in 2011, a rule the committee also approved on Thursday.
April 17, 2010 — By Scott
The NCAA's Playing Rules Oversight Panel had a busy day on Thursday and have implemented three new rule changes that will take effect this fall and in 2011. Wedge blocks and eye black with messages will not be allowed this upcoming season and in 2011, taunting in the field of play will cost the teams points.
Banning wedge blocks was decided based on the safety of players on kickoffs. NCAA studies have found that 20 percent of injuries that come on kickoffs result in concussions. The NFL banned wedge blocking a year ago and now college football will follow the same guidelines.
"Everybody is looking to make sure we have a safe environment for the players," said Grant Teaff, executive director of the American Football Coaches Association. "On kickoffs, you have a lot of steam on both sides and you usually have what is called a 'wedge buster.' This will eliminate some of that."
A 15-yard penalty will now be assessed to the receiving team on a kickoff when they have two players standing within two yards of each other, shoulder to shoulder, according to the new rule. A reduction in concussions is the reason for the rule change that came in an off-year of the typical two-year process. Texas head coach Mack Brown is in full agreement with the change.
"Studies are showing that we are having more concussions across the country on kickoffs than in the past, so it makes sense to try to find a way to address that," Brown said Thursday. "But we all need to look at the meaning of a wedge block and clearly define it. If we have a clear set of rules on that and officials can call it consistently, we can prepare our players differently on kickoff return blocking and hopefully help better protect our kids."
The taunting rule change that will go into effect in 2011 is another area that most coaches feel needs to be addressed. Live-ball penalties will now be slapped on players and the score will be eliminated for those players who do things such as high step into the end zone or point the ball towards an opponent. However, celebration penalties that occur following a score will be assessed on kickoff attempts or conversion attempts. Indiana head coach Bill Lynch is in full support of the new rule.
"Just run it into the end zone, how hard is that?" he said after a spring practice. "It is a team game and that's what makes it such a great game."
The NCAA is obviously looking to clean up college football with these two rule changes, along with banning eye black with messages that became popular by Reggie Bush and Tim Tebow. In another area, coaches boxes will now be required to have television monitors starting in 2011, a rule the committee also approved on Thursday.