A few rules:
**THE MOST EXCITING FOURTH DOWN IN FOOTBALL:
No fair catches are permitted, but the returning player is granted a 5-yard protected area or ?halo? where a member of the kicking team may not encroach until the ball is touched, and the kicking team may not cross the line of scrimmage until the ball is punted. At the same time, any punt traveling more than 25 yards past the line of scrimmage is a live ball and can be recovered by either team.
**POINT AFTER TOUCHDOWN:
There will be no kicking of extra points. Teams will run a play from the two-yard line, and will receive one point if the conversion is successful. During the conversion the clock will be running, therefore the defensive team can earn one point by returning a fumble or interception into the opponent?s end zone.
**ONE FOOT INBOUNDS:
As per the current collegiate rule, a receiver/defender needs only one foot inbounds on a reception/interception.
**SHORTER PLAY CLOCK:
Teams have 35 seconds to get a play off after previous play is ruled dead and 25 seconds following any clock stoppage.
**OTHERS
One man on offense may be in forward motion outside of the tackles.
Defensive players may use bump-and-run tactics on offensive players down the field.
Returning teams must run kickoffs back out of the end zone, unless the kick carries through the end zone.
Contrary to some reports, XFL quarterbacks will be protected should they slide or otherwise give themselves up and headslaps are illegal.
=====================================
HOW DOES OVERTIME WORK?
EACH TEAM WILL GET THE BALL AT LEAST ONCE:
Each team will have four downs from the opponent?s 20-yard line. Team A may not attempt a field goal until fourth down. If Team A scores a touchdown in less than four downs then team B must score in the same number of downs. There will be PAT attempts.
THE BREAKDOWN:
A. Each team will have a possession Exception: Team B intercepts a pass or fumble and returns it for a score. Game over.
B. Ball will be placed on the 20-yard line. No 1st down possible.
C. Team A cannot attempt a field goal until 4th down.
D. If a touchdown is scored by the first team in overtime on either 1st , 2nd , 3rd , or 4th down the team on defense must match the down and the score or be declared the loser.
E. If no touchdown was scored by the first team in overtime, the defense can waive the first three downs and choose a fourth down to attempt a field goal to win the game.
F. PAT attempts will be from the 2-yard line.
G. The defense can return an interception or a fumble for a score. A scrimmage down returned for a touchdown = 6 points. A returned PAT = 1 point.
H. If you score a touchdown and on the try Team B intercepts and returns it for a score, they get one point and the ball on the 20-yard line for a chance to win. Exception: When the team that was on defense first has a PAT returned for a score after the original offensive team had already scored.
Example: Team A scores a TD = 6 points but misses the PAT. Team B scores a TD = 6 points. On their PAT, Team A intercepts a pass and returns it for a 1-point score. Team A wins 7-6.
I. If neither team scores or both teams score the same number of points overtime will continue until a winner is declared. The team on defense during the first overtime will be on offense for the second overtime.
