XFL ANNOUNCES KEY RULE CHANGES FOR 2023
NEW POSSESSION OPTION AND CENTRALIZED REPLAY AMONG CHANGES
ARLINGTON, TX, December 8, 2022— The XFL today announced its official rules for the 2023 season, which includes innovative changes in the areas of clock management, play reviews and late game possession designed to improve gameplay and enhance the fan viewing experience.
“Our innovative rules are the cornerstone of our League and a clear example of our commitment to advance the game,” said XFL President Russ Brandon. “These changes will increase possession and scoring options while remaining true to the spirit of the game.”
Popular rule innovations such as tiered extra points and double forward passes will carry over from the 2020 season. Teams will also continue to line up five yards apart on kickoffs, as they did in 2020, which resulted in fewer injuries and a 92% return rate.
Among the new game enhancements is an extra possession option, where in addition to an onside kick at any point during the game, teams may now attempt to retain possession by converting a 4th and 15 play from their own 25-yard line in the fourth quarter only.
This season the XFL is also introducing a first-of-its-kind, centralized ‘command center’ for instant replay review and officiating led by Dean Blandino, Vice President of Officiating and Playing Rules Innovation. The fully cloud-based instant replay program offers live integration during replay reviews and oversight of officiating discrepancies during all 43 XFL games.
“In short, we studied the positive changes in game play, player safety, and fan engagement made in 2020 and have enhanced them to make the game and the viewing experience even more engaging,” said Dean Blandino. “We are adding a new level of transparency with our officiating that no sport has ever provided, allowing us to be more consistent with our calls when there’s a flag on the play. Instead of being separated in each stadium, my team and I will be together in the command center and will be responsible for initiating replay reviews and making streamlined decisions in real time.”
The full 2023 XFL rule book is available here.
Below are some of the XFL’s key new rules and modifications from 2020:
*New or modified in 2023
The XFL will kick off on February 18, 2023 in partnership with its exclusive broadcast partner, The Walt Disney Company and ESPN. For more information on tickets, please visit, XFL.com/tickets.
For more information, visit XFL.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
About XFL
The XFL’s ownership group, led by Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, and Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital Partners, is building a fan-first, fast-paced global professional football league with innovative rules and enhanced 360 game experience. The XFL will bring entertainment to world class football, with the goal of advancing the game of football and expanding player opportunities when it launches in February 2023.
XFL Media Contacts
Jeff Altstadter, VP of Communications
[email protected]
Bianca Gamez, Director of Communications and Media Relations
[email protected]
Dan Gagnier / Lindsay Barber
Gagnier Communications
[email protected]
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
