Everything you like about football and nothing you don’t—that’s what the revamped XFL football league will be shooting for when its eight teams take the field this month. St. Louis’ team, the BattleHawks—a reference to our city’s history of aviation—will play the first game of the season against the Dallas Renegades at Globe Life Park on February 9. The team’s first home game, at The Dome at America’s Center, is February 23, against the New York Guardians. So how does the league plan to maximize the fan experience? It’s tweaked the rules to encourage faster games, more returns and completions, and enhanced player safety. Here’s a look at the specifics.
The NFL changed kickoff rules in 2018, requiring players to line up within 1 yard of the 35-yard line. It eliminated the running start to increase player safety. The XFL plans to move players up even closer. As of press time, it was also considering eliminating gunners—the players whose job it is to tackle the punt returner—in an effort to increase returns.
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The points on each team’s football (seen above) are marked with an X in white and outlined in the team’s color, making it easier for the wide receiver to see the ball coming in on a spiral. (Each team uses its own ball during a possession.) The balls also have a pebbled finish that makes them easier to grip. It’s hoped that these features will increase the number of completions.
A touchdown will still be 6 points, but the XFL is eliminating the extra-point kick. Teams may either score 1 point from a conversion on the 2-yard line, 2 from a conversion on the 5-yard line, or 3 from a conversion on the 10-yard line.
The 25-second play clock will be continuous, except during the final two minutes of each half, when it will stop after every play. The NFL play clock is 40 seconds.
The XFL wants to be much quicker between plays. If there are 25 seconds between plays in the NFL, the XLF is aiming for 11 seconds.
Players will use helmet mics and cameras to communicate continuously with coaches, making it possible to forgo a huddle.
BattleHawks players L’Damian Washington, Marcus Lucas, and Brian Folkerts each have a Missouri connection. Washington and Lucas, wide receivers, were Missouri Tigers. Folkerts, an offensive lineman, went to Hazelwood Central.
FYI The BattleHawks play the Guardians at the Dome at 2 p.m. February 23. The game will air live on ESPN.
