Apr 15, 2010 8:36:03 AM

The Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved a proposal Wednesday to eliminate wedge-blocking formations of three or more players by the receiving team on kickoffs for the 2010 season.

The NCAA Football Rules Committee proposed the change even though this year is the off-year in the two-year rules-making process for playing-rules committees. The football rules panel, though, believed an immediate change was necessary to better protect the student-athletes.

That notion is corroborated by NCAA research showing that one of every five injuries that occur on kickoffs results in a concussion.

This is the first time PROP has approved a rules change in an off year since sports committees went to publishing their respective rules books on an every-other-year basis starting in 2007. PROP evaluates new rules in terms of their effect on the image and integrity of the game, safety concerns, or financial impact on institutions.

A wedge is defined in the NCAA Football Rules Book as two or more players aligned shoulder to shoulder within two yards of each other. Two player wedges remain legal; the formation of three or more players in a wedge is now a foul that would result in a 15-yard penalty.

It will be considered a live-ball foul, regardless of whether there is contact between opponents. The penalty would be marked from the spot of the foul or from the spot of where the kick returner was tackled if it is behind the spot where the illegal wedge was formed.

The formation of a wedge would not be illegal when the kick is from an obvious onside kick formation.

Taunting, eye black also reviewed

PROP also approved a proposal that penalizes unsportsmanlike conduct as a live-ball foul beginning with the 2011 season.

The change means, for example, that if a player makes a taunting gesture to an opponent on the way to scoring a touchdown, the flag would nullify the score and penalize the offending team from the spot of the foul.

Penalties for dead-ball misconduct fouls (for example, unsportsmanlike behavior after the player crosses the goal line) would continue to be assessed on the ensuing kickoff or the extra point/two point conversion attempt.

In another action that affects the coming season, PROP confirmed that players are not allowed to have any symbols or messages on their eye black starting in the 2010 season.

Soccer, field hockey rules

In another item on the PROP agenda, the panel approved a proposal in men's and women's soccer that changes the requirements regarding field dimensions for future installations.

Members confirmed that the maximum and minimum dimensions (not greater than 75 yards by 120 yards and not smaller than 70 yards by 115 yards) applied only to soccer playing fields being constructed going forward. All facilities in use presently are acceptable for intercollegiate play and will not be required to change.

PROP also approved several field hockey modifications proposed by the divisional championship committees in that sport.