In just over 24 hours, the United States Football League will begin its debut season.
The league will consist of eight teams divided into two divisions, with the season beginning on April 16 and ending on July 3 with the USFL championship.
The USFL will be a departure from traditional NFL games in the fall and winter, but it will fill a need in the football world while the NFL and college football are on hiatus.
Everything a football fan needs to know about the USFL may be found below.
The Teams
The Michigan Panthers, New Jersey Generals, Philadelphia Stars, and Pittsburgh Maulers make up the North Division. The Birmingham Stallions, Houston Gamblers, New Orleans Breakers, and Tampa Bay Bandits make up the South Division.
Coaches
In January, the coaching staff was confirmed.
The Panthers will be coached by Jeff Fisher, the Breakers will be coached by Larry Fedora, the Stallions will be coached by Skip Holtz, the Bandits will be coached by Todd Haley, the Maulers will be coached by Kirby Wilson, the Gamblers will be coached by Kevin Sumlin, the Stars will be coached by Bart Andrus, and the Generals will be coached by Mike Riley.
Top Players
The majority of the USFL’s newcomers have previous NFL experience.
Paxton Lynch, Eli Rogers, Elijah Westbrooks, and Donald Payne are just a few of the former NFL players. Jordan Ta’amu and Luis Perez, both former XFL stars, are also in the league.
Michigan Panthers Head Coach Jeff Fisher returns to coaching, discusses what to expect with the upcoming USFL debut.
Are there any new rules that I should be aware of?
Yes. The USFL will give a novel twist to modern-day football’s basic rules.
Bonus points
Extra points will be available to teams scoring a touchdown. After the score, a team might opt to go for one, two, or three points.
A squad might kick a 15-yard field goal for one point. A team would have to cross the goal line from the 2-yard line for two points. A team can try to score from the 10-yard line for three points.
Replay in real time
All replays will be shown live from the FOX Sports Control Center in Los Angeles, according to the USFL.
One replay challenge will be granted for each coach.
In a news release, the league stated that “USFL Replay Command will have the authority to overrule incorrect personal foul calls, including roughing the passer, hits on defenseless players, facemasks, horsecollars and more,” “USFL Replay Command will also be responsible for determining whether the act of pass interference is obviously intentional when it occurs 15 yards beyond the line of scrimmage.”
Kickoffs
The United States Football League (USFL) claims it wants to make kickoffs safer. Kickoffs will be taken from the 25-yard line, with no member of the kicking team allowed to line up further back than the 1-yard line. Between the 35- and 45-yard lines, the receiving team must have at least eight men lined up.
“The receiving team must make the initial touch after a kickoff travels 20 yards. The ball belongs to the receiving team at that place if an undisturbed kick becomes dead “According to the league.
Scrum play or onside kicks
Teams will have two alternatives for keeping the ball after scoring to encourage additional scoring. An onside kick could be attempted by the team. The other option is to go for it on 4th-and-12 from their own 33-yard line. If the team gets a first down, it keeps possession; if it doesn’t, the ball goes to the defense.
Overtime
It will be a best-of-three shootout in overtime. Each offense will attempt to score from the 2-yard line, with each successful play earning two points. The winning team will be the one with the most points after three plays. If the score is tied after each side runs three plays, the time will be extended until a winner is determined.
Punts
Gunners will not be allowed to line up outside the numbers in the USFL, and they will not be double-teamed blocked until the ball is kicked away.
Timing
Similar to NCAA rules, the clock will stop on first downs inside two minutes of the second and fourth quarters.
Interference should be avoided.
Offensive: According to the USFL, “If a pass does not cross the line of scrimmage, there can be no pass interference or ineligible player downfield penalties,”
Protective: “With few exclusions, the penalty for defensive pass interference will be similar to the NCAA rule. A spot penalty would be called if a defender intentionally tackled a receiver beyond 15 yards. Also, if the foul happens 15 yards or fewer from the line of scrimmage, the penalty will be a spot foul, or a 15-yard penalty from the line of scrimmage if the violation occurs beyond 15 yards “According to the league.
There are two forward passes.
Two forward passes from behind the line of scrimmage will be allowed in the USFL.
When does the season start?
The first game of the season is Saturday night between the Generals and the Stallions at 7:30 p.m. ET.