NFL Rules

Since the founding of the National Football League in 1920, players and coaches have been subject to following numerous rules and penalties. The owners of each of the 32 teams meet annually, during the off-season, to discuss and decide on new rules or modifications to existing rules.

In March of 2009, the league passed several rule changes including reordering draft selections for playoff teams, four safety proposals and minor changes to onside kicking and fumble or backwards pass plays.ESPN.com: Four Safety Proposals Passed ESPN.com: Draft Order to Change for Playoff Teams

Draft order for playoff teams changed, with teams picking in the order they were eliminated from the post season, starting in the 2010 NFL draftESPN.com: Draft Order to Change for Playoff Teams

The "wedge" or three blockers positioned in a triangle on kickoff returns is banned, with a new maximum of two blockers ahead of the receiverESPN.com: Four Safety Proposals Passed

Players on the kicking team during an onside kick must now be equally spaced, with at least four on each side of the kickerESPN.com: Four Safety Proposals Passed

Should a player deliver a blind-side block to the head of a defender using a helmet, forearm or shoulder, a 15-yard penalty will be assessedESPN.com: Four Safety Proposals Passed

If a defender hits a defenseless receiver in the head or neck with his forearm or shoulder, an unnecessary roughness penalty will be assessedESPN.com: Four Safety Proposals Passed

If a fumble or backwards pass goes out of bounds, the game clock will restart when the official places the ball in playESPN.com: Draft Order to Change for Playoff Teams

Teams will no longer be given a second chance to kick, should an onside kick go out of boundsESPN.com: Draft Order to Change for Playoff Teams

On November 16, 2008, the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles finished their game in a 13 to 13 tie, following one overtime period. After the game, veteran Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb stated publicly that he was not aware that a game could end in a tie.YouTube Video: Tie? Tie? (Time: 0:42)

Players must have both feet touch the ground for a pass to be complete; if both feet do not touch, regardless if the receiver was forced out by another person, the pass in ruled incompleteUSA Today: Coin Toss Switch Tops List of NFL Rule Changes

Instant replay can be used on certain field goal playsUSA Today: Coin Toss Switch Tops List of NFL Rule Changes

The team that wins the pre-game coin toss may now defer to the second halfUSA Today: Coin Toss Switch Tops List of NFL Rule Changes

No more incidental five-yard face mask fouls, only major offenses will be penalized and will include a 15-yard penaltyUSA Today: Coin Toss Switch Tops List of NFL Rule Changes

Coaches may now use in-helmet communications systems to talk to one defenseman on the field, in addition to the quarterback when the team is playing offenseUSA Today: Coin Toss Switch Tops List of NFL Rule Changes

Officials will strengthen anti-cheating measures to prevent incidents such as SpygateUSA Today: Coin Toss Switch Tops List of NFL Rule Changes

• • Prior to the 2008 season, officials were permitted to issue five-yard penalties for minor incidents where players illegally grabbed a face mask of another player. In 2008, the rules was changed to remove all incidental face mask penalties and only issues 15-yard penalties for major face mask violations.

• • If a coach feel that a play was not called properly, in certain situations they are permitted to throw a red challenge flag onto the field and request that the play be reviewed using replay. If the initial ruling on the field was correct, the team that made the challenge loses one of their timeouts. During the last two minutes of play of each half, instant replays can only be ordered by a replay assistant in the upper level press box of the stadium.

• • Starting in 2008, unsuccessful field goal or other extra point attempts can be reviewed by instant replay.

• • If a player on the defensive team commits a foul during the last play of the game or half and the offensive team accepts the penalty, the down is replayed. If a player on the offensive team commits a foul on the last play, the down is not replayed and does not count.

• • Following the four 15-minute quarters of each game, if one team is not winning, the game goes into a overtime. The officials toss a coin to determine which team will have possession of the ball first and which end zone they want to kick off to. The first team to score wins. During all pre-season and regular season games, there is only one 15-minute overtime period. After that time if no team has scored, the game is recorded as a tie. During all playoff games, teams continue to play until one teamhas scored.