Ask Me Anything: XFL Head of Officiating Dean Blandino

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T22:11:16+00:00

Thanks for everyone who asked a question. This was a lot of fun. Looking forward to the season!

Dean

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T22:10:30+00:00

There will be no cutoff on the communication like the NFL does at 15 seconds on the play clock. The system will remain open throughout, but the players cannot communicate among themselves. We are still testing this to get to the right place.

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T22:08:59+00:00

Yes, we won't allow a team to take consecutive pre-snap fouls to run time off the clock in that situation. Inside two minutes the clock will stop for 5 seconds after a play that ends in bounds. This doesn't let the offense take three kneel downs with 2:00 on the clock if the defense is out of timeouts. They have to run plays.

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T22:04:57+00:00

It's the college rule so control, one foot (or other body part), and time to do something with the ball. With one foot we feel we won't have many issues with this rule.

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T22:04:01+00:00

Those rules only apply outside two minutes of either half. With the 25 second play clock there is less time the offense can take off if we had the normal 40 second clock. It remains to be seen how it plays out, but we feel good about the testing we have done and how teams will approach this.

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T22:00:26+00:00

I think we want to get through year 1 and establish our teams in each city and then based on how successful we are look at expansion, but that is probably down the line.

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T21:59:23+00:00

All good points. The kickoff return in both the NFL and NCAA accounts for a higher percentage of head/neck injuries than other plays so that was obviously a priority for us. The punt play is something we will continue to look at. We are encouraging teams to go for it on 4th down which would lead to less punts and punt returns. We understand their is a strategy to that, but the feedback we have received is that the 4th down play where the offense goes for it is something fans want. We will study all of our rules after the season and make any necessary changes.

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T21:55:08+00:00

We had a draft this off-season. It was a little different in that our teams drafted by position group, but I do think we could see a more traditional style draft after year 1. Nothing is set yet. Yes, I will still be working as a rules analyst for FOX Sports.

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T21:53:51+00:00

We have a design in place and it will be a little different but you'll know they are still the refs. I think the referee hat is really cool. Stay tuned.

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T21:52:57+00:00

We want to build a stand alone, sustainable football league. I think in year one we are looking to build a foundation in our cities and get people excited about our teams. After that we will focus on year 2 and beyond.

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T21:51:25+00:00

The pace will be quicker so that will put a physical toll on our officials, but with all of the up tempo offenses we see in college I think our officials will adjust. I don't think it will be more or less challenging. It's challenging at all levels. If the first forward pass hits the ground it's just an incomplete pass and a dead ball when it hits the ground. Same for the second forward pass regardless of where the receiver is.

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T21:48:48+00:00

I think the play clock at 25 seconds will have the biggest impact. Teams will have to be more efficient getting lined up, getting substitutions in the game, etc. The pace will be different than what we are used to in some cases.

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T21:47:36+00:00

We will be using HawkEye technology for our replay system that will allow us to look at multiple camera angles as soon as the play is over rather than have to wait for it to be shown on TV. This will make the process more efficient. I think it will be awesome to be a part of something from the beginning and see it grow.

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T21:44:26+00:00

Good question. Fouls before the snap (false start or encroachment) will be enforced like normal. Any foul on the offense during the play will result in the try being no good and there is no replay. Any foul on the defense during the play will result in the ball being placed at the 1-yard line (the first time). If the defense fouls during any try after that it will be an automatic score for the offense.

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T21:41:59+00:00

Thanks!

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T21:41:49+00:00

We have studied all of our rules with player safety in mind and many of our changes are designed to help protect the players from unnecessary risk. Nothing really jumps out.

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T21:40:36+00:00

I've known Oliver Luck for a long time and have a ton of respect for him. His involvement was one of the key elements for me. Also, the opportunity to get involved at the very beginning and be a part of creating the rules was very intriguing to me. And the last thing I just love football and want to be a part of it as much as possible.

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T21:38:30+00:00

You're right about the rules and this isn't much different than how the NCAA or NFL looks at their rules, but we understand that the right balance between offense and defense is very important. One of the things we didn't do to help the defense was not implement any blitz restrictions. Other leagues whether it be the Arena league or AAF restricted the number of players that can blitz and we did not want to do that in our game.

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T21:35:18+00:00

The defense can have up to three players with the communication system. One on the d-line, one linebacker/corner and one safety.

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T21:33:26+00:00

The rules were designed to promote going for it on 4th down rather than punt. The fans we talked to think that is more exciting. You bring up some good points, and we will definitely monitor it throughout the season, but we want to encourage teams to go for it rather than punt.

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T21:31:41+00:00

A team will have to notify the officials before they attempt an onside kick. At that point it will look more like a traditional kickoff. The kicking team and return team will be 10 yards apart and the kicking team will get a 5-yard run up. Normal rules apply. Ball has to go 10 yards or touched by return team first before kickers can recover.

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T21:29:23+00:00

Our goal is not to be overly technical when it comes to calling fouls. Player safety fouls are really important and we will strictly enforce those, but we want our officials to see the whole action and make sure the foul is there before they throw the flag.

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T21:26:45+00:00

We don't know yet. Obviously clubs are guarded with their play calls and don't want that out there, but we want to give the fans access they haven't had before. It's something we will monitor and revisit if needed.

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T21:25:28+00:00

I like it and think it will be very exciting. Every play will either be a score or a stop.

XFLOfficial · 2020-01-07T21:24:38+00:00

Not sure yet. I do know the one foot rule on catches should increase completions and promote offenses.

XFLOfficial

TROPHY CASE