Joshua Mousel 
In 2020, the XFL reemerged and promised fans a faster, more exciting game. And in that, they delivered. With the purchase and RE-reemergence of the XFL (dubbed by many as XFL 3.0), one of the questions being asked was the ruleset. Would it be gimmicky? Or would it mimic what we saw during the five weeks of XFL football in 2020?
Luckily, we have our answers! Let’s dive in.
EXTRA POINTS
- Tiered extra points are back
- Teams will have three run/pass-only options for extra points following a touchdown
- 2-yard line = one point; 5-yard line = two points; 10-yard line = three points
- The defense awarded the same number of points for a touchdown
GAME TIMING
- The XFL will operate with a 35-second play clock, which begins following the previous play
- The clock will start following incomplete passes and out-of-bounds plays prior to the two-minute warning of either half
- The clock will stop following first downs after the two-minute warning of either half.
- A 10-minute halftime will split the first and second half
- Three timeouts per team per half
KICKOFFS
- Teams begin play five yards apart – The kicking team at the opponent’s 35-yard line and the return team at its own 30-yard line
OPTIONS TO KEEP THE BALL
- Teams will have two options to keep the ball after scoring:
- Traditional onside kick (any time during the game) or
- Attempt a 4th and 15 conversion from own 25-yard line (4thquarter only)
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 not crossed the line of scrimmage
- Once the ball has passed the line of scrimmage, no forward passes are permitted
- The first pass may fall incomplete rather than becoming a fumbled lateral.
OVERTIME
- Consists of alternating attempts from the opponent’s 5-yard line
- Three attempts per team (two points per score) or until a winner is decided
INSTANT REPLAY
- Centralized replay with all plays subject to review from Replay Official
- Replay may correct errors on non-reviewable plays, player safety at any point during the game, and any issue in the last five minutes of regulation plus overtime
- The head coach may challenge one on-field ruling per game, including those involving a foul or potential foul
- A final ruling made by designated members of the officiating department in central location
You can check out the rest of the rulebook HERE.
Spring football is back! The rules have been set, and I for one, couldn’t be happier! Will you be tuning in to XFL 3.0?
