'85 USFL: Rules Changes

Event Date: November 2nd, 1985

Event Description: USFL Rules Changes

Source: UPI

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The United States Football League adopted several rule changes this week, including a new kick-off regulation as the fall owners’ meetings came to a close.

Owners agreed to a regulation that will make the line of scrimmage after a kickoff the 10-yard line if a receiver does not run the the ball out of the end zone. Previously the ball was returnedto the 20-yard line.

However, the 20-yard line will remain the line of scrimmage, should the kick-off go through or out of the end zone.

'The kickoff return could be one of the most exciting plays in football, and we passed it to stimulate more runbacks,' said USFL Commissioner Harry Usher.

The owners also agreed that players involved in 'chicken fighting' that results in off-setting personal foul penalties should be required to leave the field for the next two plays, excluding kickoffs.

Those players are subject to league fines of $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second, and $500 for the third, as well as any fines imposed by their individual clubs.

Usher said both rule changes reflect the USFL's progressive approach to improve the game.

'The altercation rule responds to the fans' displeasure of the standard off-setting penalty call. We feel it will speed up the game and discourage pushing and shoving,' Usher said.

The league increased from five to seven the the number of shools in the territorial draft and adopted their two dates for selecting college players.

The territorial draft will be held April 22nd and the common draft on May 6th. These two dates sandwich the NFL's open draft.

Memphis Showboats President Steve Ehrhart said the rule should give the USFL an advantage over the older, more established NFL.

'It will give us the opportunity to talk to and sign players from schools such as Tennessee and Memphis State ahead of the NFL draft. Some good players are going to be available next April,' Ehrhart said.

The league also agreed there will be no restriction on the number of players allowed to go downfield on punt coverage.

more to come......