The NFL has introduced several rule changes for the 2024 season, prioritizing player safety and promoting exciting gameplay.
Key Rule Changes:
– *Kickoff Procedure*: The kicker will line up on the 35-yard line, while teammates line up on the opponent’s 40-yard line. The receiving team must have at least nine players between their 35 and 30-yard lines. This change aims to reduce high-speed collisions and promote more kickoff returns.¹ ²
– *Hip-Drop Tackle Ban*: The NFL has prohibited the “hip-drop” tackling technique, which involves a defender rotating or swiveling their hips to drop onto a ball carrier’s legs. This tackle will result in a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down.³
– *Challenge Rule Update*: Teams can now earn a third challenge if they’re successful on at least one of their first two challenges.⁴
– *Reviewable Plays*: The NFL has added two new reviewable plays: whether a passer was down or out of bounds before throwing a pass, and whether the play clock expired before the ball was snapped.
– *Offensive Fouls*: The NFL will now enforce major fouls by the offense prior to a change of possession, even if there are fouls by both teams.
