- Teams lose timeouts if medical staff treats players after ball placement
- 5-yard penalties enforced for feigned injuries without available timeouts
- Overtime rules limit teams to one timeout starting in third OT period
- Scrimmage kick formations require specific alignment to qualify for protections
The NCAA has implemented sweeping changes to curb strategic fake injuries disrupting game flow. Under the new policy, medical staff entering the field after officials spot the ball triggers automatic timeout charges. Teams without remaining timeouts face 5-yard delay-of-game penalties. This addresses long-standing concerns about defenses manipulating tempo offenses through manufactured injuries.
Overtime procedures now restrict teams to a single timeout beginning in the third extra period. This replaces previous allowances for one timeout per overtime session. Teams will alternate 2-point conversion attempts starting in third overtime until a winner emerges. The change aims to reduce marathon games while maintaining competitive intensity.
Officials will simplify replay announcements to upheldor overturned,eliminating previous terminology like confirmed.This standardization helps fans and broadcasters quickly understand review outcomes. Formation requirements for kicks now mandate specific player positioning, removing loopholes that previously allowed hybrid offensive/kicking alignments.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) becomes an early test case for these rules after multiple 2023 games featured suspicious injury stoppages. Coaches like Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer must now balance strategic timeouts with potential penalties. Medical staff face increased pressure to make rapid injury assessments without disrupting play progression.
Additional changes prohibit defensive players from mimicking offensive cadences and restrict special teams signals. Teams fielding 12 defenders during critical two-minute situations face automatic penalties. These updates collectively aim to preserve game integrity while reducing stoppages that detract from viewer experience.