The NFL's only notable competitor in the world of football, the XFL, is back. Well, maybe. In any case, the XFL's most recent strategy did work out for some time, especially compared to its first attempt. That said, this new version of the XFL is still more similar to the WWE than the NFL. Here's why.
The XFL is hoping to snatch viewers away from the NFL by ushering in rules that are drastically different than the ones most football fans have come to know. On Tuesday, the official XFL rule. How XFL Rules Differ From The NFL. The XFL 2020 starts February 8th, a week after the conclusion of the NFL & Super Bowl 54 & will feature new rules & gamepl. Here's a look at some of the XFL's unique rules: Kickoffs. The NFL has made changes to its kickoff rules to cut down on injuries. The XFL has tried to lessen kickoff injuries as well. While Super Bowl was the conclusion of the NFL season, football is far from over. That is because the Football Gods blessed us with more football in the form of the new XFL, which is set to begin on Saturday, Feb. There is plenty to learn before the games begin, starting with the XFL rules that differ than those that NFL fans are used to.
What sets the WWE and XFL apart from others
First and foremost, implied by the ‘E' in WWE, both organizations aim for entertainment. WWE has always been more about entertaining fans than being a true athletic contest. For example, in WWE as well as in other 'pro wrestling' organizations, the fights are almost always scripted. Wrestlers have a fake persona of being the good guy (known as the face) or bad guy (known as the heel).
While other sports have had a history of match-fixing, by and large, most sports, including the NFL, do not script games. The XFL's games aren't scripted, but still, the XFL will live by the philosophy that WWE was founded under entertainment.
This has always been the goal of Vince McMahon, founder of WWE and the XFL. In fact, according to The Undefeated, McMahon even said the XFL won't involve any politics. This is, of course, a reference to Colin Kaepernick and the NFL's handling of players kneeling during the national anthem. Instead, McMahon said XFL viewers will solely be entertained by the games.
What the WWE and the XFL have in common
Furthermore, as WhatCulture explains, the two organizations will have plenty in common other than entertainment. For example, because both organizations are owned by McMahon, both will promote each other a lot. This includes XFL players attending WWE events and vice versa.
WhatCulture said there's even a tie-in reference to a famous WWE wrestler. Randy Orton, WWE's 'The Viper,' is somewhat related to an XFL team, the Tampa Bay Vipers. On top of those cross-promotions, the XFL and WWE also have something in common that sets them apart from the NFL.
Unlike the NFL, neither the XFL nor WWE have cheerleaders. This is likely in response to the first XFL's use of cheerleaders, which doesn't really fly nowadays.
Lastly, and again due to the XFL's focus on entertainment, the games will be shorter than the NFL's, too. For comparison, a single WWE match is very short, but a whole event may take as long as a regular NFL game.
Different Rules Xfl Vs Nfl
Other ways the XFL is different than the NFL
These shorter matches have been good for football fans, as many followers don't like watching hours of the sport for just a few minutes of action. This is one of the ways the XFL has improved since the last time it tried its hand at football.
Rather than using gimmicks to entertain fans, the XFL has made changes that speed up the game compared to the NFL. For example, in a bid to reduce concussions, punts and kickoffs are different in the XFL. The XFL also has a 'sky judge' who can basically make a ruling as fast as possible.
Many minor rule differences and major salary differences exist between the XFL and NFL. And, unfortunately, according to ESPN, one other difference between the two is that, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the XFL may have been canceled again.
The NFL playoffs are underway, which can only mean we are nearing kickoff for the reincarnation of the XFL.
The rebirth of the league will bring some interesting rules and they were announced Tuesday:
One of the interesting decisions is a receiver will be credited with a catch with one foot inbounds, which is the college football rule. Also, there will be a 25-second play clock that begins after the ball is spotted for the next play.
The league has a multitude of conditions applied to kickoffs, punts and other situations, which are addresssed below:
Kickoffs:
The kicker kicks from the 25-yard line and must kick the ball in the air and in play between the opponent's 20-yard line and the end zone.The coverage team lines up on the return side 35-yard line and the return team lines up on the 30-yard line. Each team must have exactly 3 players outside the hash marks on both sides of the ball and cannot move until the ball is caught by the returner.Out of bounds kicks and kicks that fall short of the 20-yard line will result in an illegal procedure penalty, taking the ball all the way out to the kicking team's 45 yard line.Players can move when the ball is touched by the returner or 3 seconds after the ball touches the ground (when the official waves his hand down).If the ball is kicked into the end zone and is downed it is a 'Major' touchback and the ball is placed at the return side 35-yard line.If the ball bounces in bounds and then out of the end zone or is downed in the end zone, the ball is placed at the return side 15-yard line.If a player on the return team touches the ball and it goes out of bounds, the ball is spotted where it went out of bounds.If a team wishes to run an onside kick, it must indicate this to the official before the play and the two teams will be permitted to line up using traditional NFL rules (i.e. 10 yards apart from the kicking team). There will be no surprise onside kicks.PATs
After a touchdown, the team has the option of running a play from the 2, 5, or 10-yard line, worth 1, 2, or 3 points respectively. The team must run an offensive play and no kicking plays are allowed.If the defense is able to cause a turnover and return the ball to the opponent's end zone, the resulting score is equal to the number of points the offense was attempting to score on its PAT.Punts
XFL Rule
Double forward pass
Unlike the NFL, neither the XFL nor WWE have cheerleaders. This is likely in response to the first XFL's use of cheerleaders, which doesn't really fly nowadays.
Lastly, and again due to the XFL's focus on entertainment, the games will be shorter than the NFL's, too. For comparison, a single WWE match is very short, but a whole event may take as long as a regular NFL game.
Different Rules Xfl Vs Nfl
Other ways the XFL is different than the NFL
These shorter matches have been good for football fans, as many followers don't like watching hours of the sport for just a few minutes of action. This is one of the ways the XFL has improved since the last time it tried its hand at football.
Rather than using gimmicks to entertain fans, the XFL has made changes that speed up the game compared to the NFL. For example, in a bid to reduce concussions, punts and kickoffs are different in the XFL. The XFL also has a 'sky judge' who can basically make a ruling as fast as possible.
Many minor rule differences and major salary differences exist between the XFL and NFL. And, unfortunately, according to ESPN, one other difference between the two is that, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the XFL may have been canceled again.
The NFL playoffs are underway, which can only mean we are nearing kickoff for the reincarnation of the XFL.
The rebirth of the league will bring some interesting rules and they were announced Tuesday:
One of the interesting decisions is a receiver will be credited with a catch with one foot inbounds, which is the college football rule. Also, there will be a 25-second play clock that begins after the ball is spotted for the next play.
The league has a multitude of conditions applied to kickoffs, punts and other situations, which are addresssed below:
Kickoffs:
The kicker kicks from the 25-yard line and must kick the ball in the air and in play between the opponent's 20-yard line and the end zone.The coverage team lines up on the return side 35-yard line and the return team lines up on the 30-yard line. Each team must have exactly 3 players outside the hash marks on both sides of the ball and cannot move until the ball is caught by the returner.Out of bounds kicks and kicks that fall short of the 20-yard line will result in an illegal procedure penalty, taking the ball all the way out to the kicking team's 45 yard line.Players can move when the ball is touched by the returner or 3 seconds after the ball touches the ground (when the official waves his hand down).If the ball is kicked into the end zone and is downed it is a 'Major' touchback and the ball is placed at the return side 35-yard line.If the ball bounces in bounds and then out of the end zone or is downed in the end zone, the ball is placed at the return side 15-yard line.If a player on the return team touches the ball and it goes out of bounds, the ball is spotted where it went out of bounds.If a team wishes to run an onside kick, it must indicate this to the official before the play and the two teams will be permitted to line up using traditional NFL rules (i.e. 10 yards apart from the kicking team). There will be no surprise onside kicks.PATs
After a touchdown, the team has the option of running a play from the 2, 5, or 10-yard line, worth 1, 2, or 3 points respectively. The team must run an offensive play and no kicking plays are allowed.If the defense is able to cause a turnover and return the ball to the opponent's end zone, the resulting score is equal to the number of points the offense was attempting to score on its PAT.Punts
XFL Rule
Punting team cannot release past the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked.If the ball goes out of bounds inside the 35-yard line, it is a 'Major' touchback and the ball goes to the 35-yard line.If a punted ball lands in the opponent's end zone or goes out of the end zone the result is a 'Major' touchback, and the ball goes out to the 35-yard line.Fair catches are permitted (though disincentivized – see Rationale)Double forward pass
If a team completes a forward pass behind the line of scrimmage, that team may throw a second forward pass, as long as the ball has at no time crossed the line of scrimmage.Overtime
Xfl Rules Vs Nfl Rules
Overtime shall consist of 5 'Rounds', staged in alternating single-play possessions as is customary in NHL shootouts or MLS penalty kicks. A 'Round' will consist of one offensive play per team. Each possession starts at the opponent's 5-yard line and the offensive team has one play to score. The team with more points after 5 rounds is the winner.If a team has been mathematically eliminated before all 5 rounds have been completed, the game ends immediately (e.g. If Team A scores on its first 3 attempts and Team B is stopped on its first 3 attempts, then no subsequent plays are necessary).If teams are tied after 5 rounds, then rounds continue until one team is leading at the conclusion of a round, and that team will be the winner.For scoring purposes, each successful overtime score is worth 2 points.The defensive team cannot score. If the offensive team commits a turnover, the play is over immediately.If the defensive team commits a penalty, the offensive team will be allowed to re-attempt from the 1-yard line.Any subsequent penalty committed by the defensive team on any subsequent play, including in future rounds, will result in a score awarded to the offensive team.If the offensive team commits a pre-snap penalty, the ball will be moved back from the original spot, pursuant to regular rules and the play will be re-attempted.Comeback period: Occurs after the 2-Minute Warning in each half. On plays that end in the field of play, the game clock will be stopped until the ball has been spotted and 5 seconds have run off of the play clock.Outside the last 2 minutes of each half, the game clock will run after incompletions and out of bounds plays.Each team will have 2 one-minute timeouts per half.The XFL will have no coaches' challenges and all plays will be subject to review from the Replay Official, who will be stationed in a booth above the field.