These are the proposed rule changes for 2020. They are not finalized and still need to be approved by an executive committee. Most of the time these are approved. Nothing too crazy here that will be noticed by most fans. The biggest one may be the defense can't line up over the snapper any longer on scrimmage kick plays (similar to NFL). But I don't expect it to come into play very often.
1. Targeting – a player disqualified specifically for TGT will no longer be required to leave the field enclosure. They may remain in the team bench area even though they are no longer permitted to play in the game. It will be up to the head coach to determine the protocol (e.g. take his helmet, take his jersey, or send him to locker room).
2. Unsportsmanlike behavior (pre-game) – Game officials’ jurisdiction will now begin 90 minutes before kickoff as opposed to 60 minutes. At least three of the game officials will be on the field at 90 minutes. The “L†warm-up will take effect at 90 minutes. Any time a player is on the field, even if before the 90-minute mark, they must have a countable coach on the field with them. Additionally, any player on the field pre-game at any time (before or after the 90 minute mark) must have his number readily visible (doesn’t have to be the game jersey, can be a t-shirt, sweatshirt, etc.).
3. Substitutions – the defense having more than 11 on the field is now a live ball foul.
4. Instant Replay & Game Clock – if time expires in a half, and based upon the previous play, the game clock would have started on the ready for play whistle, there must be at least three seconds remaining on the clock in order for replay to restore time to the game clock.
5. Player Safety – Defensive linemen (within one yard of the L.O.S.), on scrimmage kick plays, must be aligned completely outside the frame of the snapper.
6. Player numbering – no more than two squad members may be assigned or wear the same number. The number zero is now also allowed to be worn and it is an eligible number.
7. Uniforms – wearing a fully compliant second jersey on top of another jersey will now be permitted by rule. Vests and/or altered jerseys are not allowed.
8. Penalty enforcement – all fouls that can be carried over the succeeding kickoff may also be carried over to the succeeding spot in extra periods. The fouls for improper jerseys regarding contrasting color with the opponent and/or numerals not contrasting with the rest of the jersey will now be penalized the same with both the loss of timeout and a 15-yard foul at the start of each half.
9. Instant Replay – wording will be added to the rule book that the expectation is that review times will not exceed two minutes. This will not expressly prohibit a review from going longer than two minutes, for example an end-of-game situation.
10. To note:
a. Kickoff rules will remain as they were in 2019.
b. Feigning injuries (by defensive players) was thoroughly discussed as a problem but there was no action taken to change the rules. The rules committee expects discussion between coaches and AFCA to eliminate this practice.
c. Uniforms – eliminating the practice of t-shirts hanging out from the bottom of jerseys and/or jerseys tucked under the pads will be a point of emphasis.
1. Targeting – a player disqualified specifically for TGT will no longer be required to leave the field enclosure. They may remain in the team bench area even though they are no longer permitted to play in the game. It will be up to the head coach to determine the protocol (e.g. take his helmet, take his jersey, or send him to locker room).
2. Unsportsmanlike behavior (pre-game) – Game officials’ jurisdiction will now begin 90 minutes before kickoff as opposed to 60 minutes. At least three of the game officials will be on the field at 90 minutes. The “L†warm-up will take effect at 90 minutes. Any time a player is on the field, even if before the 90-minute mark, they must have a countable coach on the field with them. Additionally, any player on the field pre-game at any time (before or after the 90 minute mark) must have his number readily visible (doesn’t have to be the game jersey, can be a t-shirt, sweatshirt, etc.).
3. Substitutions – the defense having more than 11 on the field is now a live ball foul.
4. Instant Replay & Game Clock – if time expires in a half, and based upon the previous play, the game clock would have started on the ready for play whistle, there must be at least three seconds remaining on the clock in order for replay to restore time to the game clock.
5. Player Safety – Defensive linemen (within one yard of the L.O.S.), on scrimmage kick plays, must be aligned completely outside the frame of the snapper.
6. Player numbering – no more than two squad members may be assigned or wear the same number. The number zero is now also allowed to be worn and it is an eligible number.
7. Uniforms – wearing a fully compliant second jersey on top of another jersey will now be permitted by rule. Vests and/or altered jerseys are not allowed.
8. Penalty enforcement – all fouls that can be carried over the succeeding kickoff may also be carried over to the succeeding spot in extra periods. The fouls for improper jerseys regarding contrasting color with the opponent and/or numerals not contrasting with the rest of the jersey will now be penalized the same with both the loss of timeout and a 15-yard foul at the start of each half.
9. Instant Replay – wording will be added to the rule book that the expectation is that review times will not exceed two minutes. This will not expressly prohibit a review from going longer than two minutes, for example an end-of-game situation.
10. To note:
a. Kickoff rules will remain as they were in 2019.
b. Feigning injuries (by defensive players) was thoroughly discussed as a problem but there was no action taken to change the rules. The rules committee expects discussion between coaches and AFCA to eliminate this practice.
c. Uniforms – eliminating the practice of t-shirts hanging out from the bottom of jerseys and/or jerseys tucked under the pads will be a point of emphasis.
