CFL.ca Staff
Toronto – The CFL’s officiating rules have undergone a number of adjustments over the off-season regarding the use of instant replay, limiting blocking below the waist, punting out of bounds and illegal participation. The new rules are designed to make the CFL more exciting, competitive and safe.
According to CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon, who is also the Chair of the CFL’s Rules Committee, the changes will, “improve an already great game.”
The most significant difference is the expansion of the use of instant replay on game changing play. Previously, the Command Centre was limited to assessing whether or not a pass was complete. With the new rules, officials can rule that a was pass fumbled, whether by a quarterback or a receiver, and award possession to the defence. In the past, when decisions were limited to the strict completion of a pass, possession could not switch teams.
Additionally, blocks below the waist have been prohibited after the completion of a pass. Any blocks under these circumstances now result in a 10-yard penalty.
The result of out of bounds punts has also been expanded. Receiving teams now have the option to take the ball from where it landed plus a ten yard penalty against the kicking team or for a re-kick ten yards back from the original line of scrimmage.
Finally, the rules for illegal participation have been clarified. Whereas before any player out of bounds could not participate in the play, now those pushed out of bounds by an opponent can continue playing.
The new rules come at a time when the officials themselves are finding new ways to improve on the field. The officiating crews underwent a ‘training camp’ to prepare for the 2011 season, where a new organizational structure was implemented.
Four coaching positions were created – referee coach, umpire coach, line of scrimmage coach and deep coach – to ensure that stricter standards were upheld across the league.
According to CFL director of officiating Tom Higgins, the new structure is valuable because, “the different officiating positions on the field each have very different responsibilities. Now with position coaches we will have a consistent voice coaching our officials in the four areas we have designated.”
The coaches’ role will continue throughout the CFL season, so they can instruct officials on rule interpretations on an ongoing basis. The training also provided a valuable opportunity for officials to meet as a group and review proper positioning, video and rule changes.
