USFL is set to kick off with new rules and new excitement in April

The USFL is set to kick off on April 16th in Birmingham, Alabama. The Birmingham Stallions will take on the New Jersey Generals inaugural game at 7:30 p.m. EST. The USFL will have mostly standard rules. However, there are some different scoring methods that you will not find in the NFL. Rules that will make the USFL more big play and higher scoring potential.

For extra points, teams will have three options to score in extra. One point for successful attempts at the 15-yard line. Two points for successful scrimmage play at the 2-yard line. Three points for a successful attempt at the 10-yard line. It helps teams trailing by 9 points or less lessen the gap and only be down by one score. It will also add late game excitement and give teams a higher chance for a comeback.

Fox Sports Control Center will cover all instant replays for the league. One replay crew will make all the decisions in games. The hope is to achieve faster and accurate rulings. Every coach will be allowed one replay challenge. Fewer challenges are put in place to help the flow of the game. USFL Replay Command will have the ability to overrule incorrect personal fouls. Such as roughing the passer, hits on a defenseless player, face masks, horse collar tackles, and so on. Those penalty’s will be 15 yards at the site of the foul.

All kickoffs will take place at the 25 yard-line. No player can be less than one yard from that mark. The return team must have a minimum of 8 players in the set up zone. They have to be set up between the 35-45 yard line. After a travel of 20 yards the receiving team must make contact with the ball or the play goes dead. Then the ball goes to the receiving team in that spot.

There are two options for onside kicks. The first is the traditional onside kick from the 25-yard line. Each successful scoring attempt will result in two points. The second is will be running a fourth-and-12 from their own 33-yard line. If that team makes a first down they retain possession. If it’s failed the ball goes right back to the defense.

Overtime will be the best of a three-play shootout. Each team will have a chance at the three-yard line. Every successful scoring attempt will result in two points. If it comes to another tie it result in sudden death. Overtime will keep going on until a winner is declared.

Punters cannot be doubled team and cannot lineup outside the numbers.

The clock will only stop for first downs and and inside two minutes of the second and fourth quarter.

For defensive pass interference if it is beyond 15 yards the penalty stays at the spot of the foul. It reduces penalty yardage. The ball will be placed at the spot of the foul if it’s 15 yards or less. Very similar to the NCAA rules.

For offensive pass interference if a pass does not cross the line of scrimmage there cannot be a call of pass interference. It will also not be illegal to throw forward passes behind the line of scrimmage. That will help add to offensive game plans and give quarterbacks more of an option, rather than just staying inside the pocket.

For former Colorado greats Drew Lewis and Devin Ross this means a very exciting new football to look forward to. It all kicks off on April 16th at Birmingham’s Protective Stadium. You can find the big inaugural day on Fox, NBC, and Peacock Networks at 7:30 PM ET.