NCAA scrapping game-shortening rules

[voiceoflg]

Per the AJC

The NCAA Rules Committee on Wednesday eliminated the year-old battery of regulations intended to shorten game times, acknowledging that the rules' residual effect — the loss an average 12 plays per game — had unfairly altered the course of play.

Most importantly, the committee restored the old regulation that the game clock starts with snap after a change in possession. Last season, the clock would resume running when the ball was whistled ready for play. Additionally, the clock will not start after a free kick until it is legally touched, unlike the new 2006 rule that stipulated the clock-start when the ball was kicked.

New measures recommended

• Limit the play clock to 15 seconds following a television timeout.

• Kickoffs moved from 35-yard line to 30-yard line.

• Reduced charged team timeouts by 30 seconds.

• Penalties for all kicking team fouls that occur during the kick can be enforced at the end of the run.

• Encourage coaches, officials, game management personnel, media partners to manage the game in a more efficient manner.

• Play clock is started when the ball is handed to the kicker by the umpire on all free kicks.

• Limit instant replay reviews to two minutes to decide to overturn or confirm the ruling on the field.