The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel OK'd a rule that keeps the defense from hurdling linemen to block kicks.
The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved a rule prohibiting defensive players from running toward the line of scrimmage to leap or hurdle offensive linemen to block field goal and point-after-touchdown attempts, beginning with the 2017 season.
Previously, defensive players could leap or hurdle offensive linemen if they didn’t land on another player.
The panel also approved a proposal to include the nameplate area of the jersey to the current horse-collar tackle rule. Players who make tackles by dragging or pulling ball carriers down from behind are subject to a 15-yard penalty.
The panel approved delaying a rule until the 2018 season that requires players to wear kneepads and pants that cover the knees. It is recommended strongly that the pants cover the knee for the 2017 season, but the panel voted to delay making the rule a requirement due to feedback from the membership that uniforms already have been purchased and may not fully meet the requirement.
