CFL’s rule changes for 2022 include moving hashmarks

Things are going to look a bit different during the 2022 CFL season.

The league announced a number of rule changes Wednesday that it claims take advantage of the Canadian game’s biggest strengths — a big field, exciting kick returns and high-octane offence.

“The most comprehensive and collaborative product review in our history has brought us here: The next step in our mission to make our game the most fun, the most exciting and the fastest-moving football,” CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a written statement.

The changes were approved by the CFL’s board of governors.

One of the big ones is CFL fields will have their hashmarks moved closer to the centre of the field. Hashmarks will now be 28 yards from each sideline instead of 24. The results of this move mean hashmarks will be nine yards apart instead of 17.

“Moving the ball closer to centre will encourage teams to use the entire field and their entire playbooks,” Ambrosie said.

“Our football leaders told us the current hashmarks too often had the effect of taking the 12th man on the field — the receiver on the far side — out of the play. A throw to him was consistently seen as too risky. And that, in turn, was diluting the impact of our huge field, which is perhaps the most unique thing about Canadian football.”

Offences will also have a shorter field to navigate if their opponents make a field goal or get a single point. Drives after those plays will now begin at the 40-yard line instead of the 35.

Kickoffs also will be changed, with teams now kicking the ball from their 30-yard line instead of the 35. The only exception will be kickoffs following a safety, which will now take place from a team’s 20-yard line instead of the 25.

“These changes should mean improved field position for the start of offensive series, and that should contribute to more scoring and more sustained drives, which makes for better game flow,” Ambrosie said.

“We know offences starting in the shadows of their own goalposts are bound to be more conservative in their play-calling, while good field position gives offences more options. Plus, moving the kickoff following a safety back five yards may discourage coaches from choosing to surrender a safety to protect field position. Having a player take a knee in the end zone may be perceived as strategic but it is anything but exciting to watch.”

No-yards penalties are also going to be more detrimental to teams. The rule has been changed so that every no-yards penalty will be a 15-yard infraction no matter if the ball bounces or not. Also, any punt that goes out of bounds before reaching the opponent’s 15-yard line will result in a penalty.

A number of other changes were also made:

Two quarterbacks on the field: The CFL has altered its on-field requirements for players. It will now allow two quarterbacks to be on the field at once as long as all ratio requirements are still met.

Communications co-ordinator now embedded in team’s benches: A member of the officiating department, who is connected to on-field officials via a headset, will now be embedded in each team’s bench. The change is designed to allow information to be shared with coaches without a referee having to go to the sidelines. It will also allow coaches to alert the officials they are taking a timeout in a different way.

End-of-quarter penalties: Any penalties that take place at the end of the first or third quarters will now be assessed at the start of the next quarter rather than extending the current one. The non-offending team could still ask to have the penalty be imposed within the quarter if there is a clear advantage, such as wanting to keep the wind to its advantage.

Command centre changes: The CFL command centre will now be able to help on-field officials without a coach’s challenge or an officials huddle. This will be expanded to include possession rulings, boundary rulings and administrative rules, such as formations without an end or ineligible receivers downfield.

No fake QB slides: The CFL will introduce an objectionable conduct call if a quarterback fakes a slide while carrying the football. That situation arose in the NCAA last season, when Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett faked a slide and scored a touchdown on the play.

Player ejections following two unnecessary roughness penalties or objectionable conduct penalties: Players who commit two unnecessary roughness penalties or two objectionable conduct penalties or a combination of the two following a play will be ejected from the game.

“With training camps scheduled to open in just three weeks, we’re looking forward to a full season of great CFL football,” Ambrosie said. “Throughout the year, we will be measuring the impact of these changes on the fun, excitement and speed of our game.

“We have great fans and we want more of them. We have great players and want to showcase their talents. A great product is job one as we work together to grow our league.”