A 3-point conversion? The XFL has some interesting ideas for its new league
The Alliance of American Football crashed and burned in memorable fashion. And amid the rough history of any startup football league since the AFL, the XFL gets its shot next year.
And like the first go-around of the XFL in 2001, this version of the XFL will try some bold new ideas in 2020.
XFL commissioner Oliver Luck revealed to Pro Football Talk one of those ideas. When an XFL team scores a touchdown, it’ll have the choice to go for a 1-, 2- or 3-point conversion.
A 3-point conversion?
Even the 1-point conversion will not be traditional in the XFL.
That conversion won’t come on an extra-point kick, but a play from the 2-yard line. The 2-point conversion is moved back to the 5-yard line, Luck told PFT. And PFT said the new 3-point conversion will be from the 10. Luck told PFT that the league considered moving it to the 15, but settled on the 10.
That adds intrigue and strategy after touchdowns. The XFL, as it was before, apparently won’t be afraid to try new things.
XFL had bold new ideas the first time around
The XFL probably isn’t going to recreate its “coin toss” when two players would run at each other and dive headfirst to secure a loose ball at midfield. That was one of the more unfortunate ideas the league brought to the table in 2001.
But maybe there will be other innovations. The XFL used innovative camera angles, had more players and coaches mic’ed up than ever before, and those ideas were borrowed and still used by the NFL today.
The AAF turned out to be a spectacular failure, and based on history the XFL has a tough challenge too. But the new league is certain to bring new ideas.
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Frank Schwab is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab
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