The new XFL, debuting next month, has some interesting new rule changes for their version of football. Of note is the abolition of the extra-point kick.
One reason for the change is that extra-point kicks are almost always automatic. The XFL wants a more compelling play.
But why is it automatic? Because the kicker is a trained specialist. Most often, he wouldn't be a good enough (or big enough) athlete for football.
I think that's the problem. The game is too specialized. And the reason it's specialized is the limitless substitutions in games. And by "substitution" I don't mean just player to player from play to play, I mean entire units. For example, when the Chiefs intercept a pass, the defensive unit is substituted by the offensive unit.
But what if substitutions were limited? What if no player, or goup of players, could leave the field and be replaced except for timeouts and change of quarters?
Up to the late 1940's in the NFL, and some years later in college, players had to play on offense, defense, and special teams. Players who were already on the field had to know how to punt and kick field goals. There was a change of posssession, but they stayed on the field.
And I'm thinking, that would be interesting.
I'm not exactly calling on football to "go back" to the game as it was generations ago. I'm not envisioning 60-minute players; I'm fine with roster sizes be as large as they are now.
But imagine that the players taking the field for kickoff have to be on the field before the coin toss, and can't be replaced until there is a timeout or quarter change.
They'd take the field not knowing if they're kicking off or receiving, not knowing if they'll then have to play defense or offense. They would have to know how to play all three phases of the game, meaning there almost always have to be a players on both sides of the ball who know how to punt, kick, pass, block, run routes, and tackle.
At timeouts and change of quarter, any and all players could be substituted on both teams. With three timeouts per half per team and the quarter change, that's seven oppoturnties for a complete turnover of players in a half. But if timeouts have to be preserved for clock management, or if timeouts have been used up, the same group of players would have to be on the field over possession changes. They'd have to know how to play both offense and defense, cover punts, return punts, kick field goals and extra points, kickoff, and return kickoffs.
I'd love to see a game with commentators saying "He's a great quarterback but a shaky safety" or "if only he could block as well as he can tackle."
It might not be the best kind of league to develop NFL talent, but a stand-alone "iron man" football league would re-invent the game with interesting tactics and strategic makeups. If I had the capital, I would start it myself.
James Leroy Wilson writes from Nebraska. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter. If you find value in his articles, your support through Paypal helps keep him going. Permission to reprint is granted with attribution.
One reason for the change is that extra-point kicks are almost always automatic. The XFL wants a more compelling play.
But why is it automatic? Because the kicker is a trained specialist. Most often, he wouldn't be a good enough (or big enough) athlete for football.
I think that's the problem. The game is too specialized. And the reason it's specialized is the limitless substitutions in games. And by "substitution" I don't mean just player to player from play to play, I mean entire units. For example, when the Chiefs intercept a pass, the defensive unit is substituted by the offensive unit.
But what if substitutions were limited? What if no player, or goup of players, could leave the field and be replaced except for timeouts and change of quarters?
Up to the late 1940's in the NFL, and some years later in college, players had to play on offense, defense, and special teams. Players who were already on the field had to know how to punt and kick field goals. There was a change of posssession, but they stayed on the field.
And I'm thinking, that would be interesting.
I'm not exactly calling on football to "go back" to the game as it was generations ago. I'm not envisioning 60-minute players; I'm fine with roster sizes be as large as they are now.
But imagine that the players taking the field for kickoff have to be on the field before the coin toss, and can't be replaced until there is a timeout or quarter change.
They'd take the field not knowing if they're kicking off or receiving, not knowing if they'll then have to play defense or offense. They would have to know how to play all three phases of the game, meaning there almost always have to be a players on both sides of the ball who know how to punt, kick, pass, block, run routes, and tackle.
At timeouts and change of quarter, any and all players could be substituted on both teams. With three timeouts per half per team and the quarter change, that's seven oppoturnties for a complete turnover of players in a half. But if timeouts have to be preserved for clock management, or if timeouts have been used up, the same group of players would have to be on the field over possession changes. They'd have to know how to play both offense and defense, cover punts, return punts, kick field goals and extra points, kickoff, and return kickoffs.
I'd love to see a game with commentators saying "He's a great quarterback but a shaky safety" or "if only he could block as well as he can tackle."
It might not be the best kind of league to develop NFL talent, but a stand-alone "iron man" football league would re-invent the game with interesting tactics and strategic makeups. If I had the capital, I would start it myself.
James Leroy Wilson writes from Nebraska. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter. If you find value in his articles, your support through Paypal helps keep him going. Permission to reprint is granted with attribution.
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