NCAA mulling some good and unhealthy rule modifications to school soccer

As a part of what seems to be a participant security initiative, the NCAA Guidelines Committee is contemplating altering a couple of guidelines with a view to restrict gamers’ “exposures” on the sector. What does that imply precisely? Nicely, based on reviews, these modifications are supposed to guard participant well being, and will, in flip, shorten video games as properly. Potential rule modifications like stopping back-to-back timeouts with a view to “ice” a kicker or eradicating prolonged intervals for untimed downs after defensive penalties are being introduced up however are thought-about inconsequential. A way more critical rule change is being thought-about although — permitting the sport clock to run after first downs (besides within the final two minutes of every half) and incomplete passes.

The latter just isn’t being as significantly thought-about as the previous but, however these are each potential modifications that can be mentioned on the Guidelines Committee’s annual assembly subsequent week. Assuming they move, how would these modifications have an effect on the faculty soccer product? Nicely, first issues first, video games can be shorter. That’s nice. No sport has ever improved upon recreation time and seen a decline in leisure. You can argue the other has occurred in actual fact. Baseball has seen quite a few enhancements in viewership as they’ve made an effort to get via video games faster. Whereas soccer has by no means skilled such a rule change, the thought of attending to the most effective components of video games in a speedier style doesn’t sound too horrible to me. The ultimate two minutes of every half are at all times probably the most thrilling a part of an in depth recreation, and as I discussed earlier, the Guidelines Committee desires to maintain the principles roughly the identical for these pivotal moments. Due to this fact, dashing the sport up with a view to get to these high-flying drives that get us on the sting of our seats might truly be an enchancment.

That mentioned, there are nonetheless some issues

School executives have been advised that offenses would lose about seven performs per recreation if the clock was allowed to run after first downs. They might lose 18-20 performs per recreation if the clock ran after incomplete passes. Clearly, the latter is a gigantic drop-off that I wouldn’t wish to see. Whereas seven offensive performs could not appear to be a lot on the floor, that equates to 84 performs in a season, or about one recreation’s value of performs we wouldn’t get to see beneath present NCAA guidelines. Does that matter? Perhaps not. Not solely would 11 video games most likely be sufficient for NFL groups to scout particular gamers on high-profile groups, however with the enlargement of the CFB playoff coming in 2024, those self same high-profile groups can be getting an additional recreation to strut their stuff anyway.

The NFL averages nearly 155 performs per recreation (together with particular groups). FBS averages 180. By letting the clock run after first down, that quantity would shrink to 166. Whereas student-athletes not getting paid NFL salaries shouldn’t must endure much more performs than their skilled counterparts, they’re additionally already taking part in far fewer video games as a complete. Most accidents are sustained throughout the offseason anyway, and eliminating seven performs per recreation isn’t going to vary that.

Is it actually about participant security?

As I’ve already mentioned, these doable modifications are reportedly meant to stop participant accidents, not shorten video games. If the latter was true, apparent modifications like shortening school soccer halftimes would take the forefront. Moreover, CBS reviews that performs per CFB recreation have decreased every of the final three seasons, however recreation size has nonetheless elevated from 3 hours, 16 minutes in 2018 to three hours, 21 minutes in 2022. That mentioned, I’m undecided letting the clock run improves participant security considerably.

I perceive that the NCAA desires to make these modifications with out incurring critical monetary repercussions, however that’s additionally the quickest method to enhance participant security. Shoveling cash into tools analysis or using extra on-site medical employees can be a straightforward repair, however they don’t wish to spend that cash? To that I say, why make the change in any respect then? Don’t half-ass participant security after which fake to be making modifications within the identify of participant security. That’s unethical, ineffective, and simply downright shady. These modifications aren’t going to vary something, so cease sitting on a pedestal propping them up.