Football Rules for the Future

The first slate of games for next season is set and college football rules changes for next year are now official. The NCAA Football Rules Committee has approved a change that will make the playing field less rough on defense. The committee approved the change on the basis of safety concerns, including the possibility of player and spectator injuries caused by injury to an opponent's neck, head, or spinal cord. The committee also wanted to ensure that the rules were consistent across all levels of play.
As the new rule takes effect, coaches will have greater leeway with their defensive substitutions. The committee recommended that teams use only three players on the field when using two defensive tackles and two defensive ends. In previous years, teams had the luxury of using up to five players on the field to help create a more balanced unit. Each team will now be allowed to use three defensive tackles, two defensive ends, and one linebacker.
Another rule change for next year pertains to officials in the end zone. This year, officials will be able to give flags when they can not see a player who is in the end zone. The committee also recommended that officials be allowed to stay in the field of play to provide visual assistance to the referees if necessary.
The football rules committee also agreed to allow teams to practice "bubbles." These are small balls that the defense can throw into the air to simulate an opposing offensive player's offense. When the defense throws the ball into the air, the defenders will not have any contact with the ball until it touches the ground. In previous years, the offense could touch the ball before the defense threw it.
The committee also approved several new rules for football. A first-time foul that would have disqualified a team from the game is now a personal foul. The coaches will no longer be allowed to challenge any plays that the officials may review. The NCAA now has a designated spotter who will act as the center of all video replay reviews.

College football rules will remain the same in 2020. The committee is hoping for a better experience for fans and officials during games for those involved in the sport.
Many of the changes that are planned for the future of college football will take some of the current college football rules and put them into place for the next few years. Fans are hopeful that a new set of rules will continue to improve the experience that they have with the sport while creating some stability for the game as a whole. 

The football rules committee has come up with some good ideas for the future, but fans should remember that this is just a beginning. The football rules committee hopes to keep making improvements to the game for years to come. They are also committed to giving the fans of college football a better, more exciting experience.