Whats your ruling? NCAA

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by APG

NCAA rule change...touchbacks go to the 25 off a free kick.

Is it resulting so far in fewer being run back? Or fewer being kicked deep?

I'd think if they wanted to see an effect they'd've changed it by more than 5 yds., or it may be so subtle as to be hard to evaluate. Like they did for the 2 yrs. they made it a 30 yd. touchback for free kicks directly over the end line.

[InsideTheStripe]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

Is it resulting so far in fewer being run back? Or fewer being kicked deep?

I'd think if they wanted to see an effect they'd've changed it by more than 5 yds., or it may be so subtle as to be hard to evaluate. Like they did for the 2 yrs. they made it a 30 yd. touchback for free kicks directly over the end line.

The rule went into effect the same year they moved the free kick line from the 30 to the 35. The combination of the two did lead to a significant increase in the number of touchbacks.

The year before the rule changes 15.2% of free kicks resulted in touchbacks. The year the rules went into effect there was an increase to 34.8%.

You can find more info here.

[Rich]

I can't remember a single kickoff in the last 2 years that's been returned past the 40. About half are touchbacks, if not more -- and this is at the D3 level.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by InsideTheStripe

The rule went into effect the same year they moved the free kick line from the 30 to the 35. The combination of the two did lead to a significant increase in the number of touchbacks.

The year before the rule changes 15.2% of free kicks resulted in touchbacks. The year the rules went into effect there was an increase to 34.8%.

You can find more info here.

Very interesting, thanks. I wonder if comparable stats exist for Football Canada's rule change with exactly the opposite object: to encourage running kickoffs back.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

Very interesting, thanks. I wonder if comparable stats exist for Football Canada's rule change with exactly the opposite object: to encourage running kickoffs back.

The NCAA has been trying to reduce injuries during kick offs which is why they also outlawed wedge blocking with more than 2 players.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Welpe

The NCAA has been trying to reduce injuries during kick offs which is why they also outlawed wedge blocking with more than 2 players.

And 4 on each side of the kicker during free kicks. And no more than a 5 yard running start for all non-kickers.

Lots of stuff to watch for these days...