2025 Rule Changes

Rule-Section-Article | Description

• Rule 6 | Makes permanent the new form of kickoff play implemented in 2024.
• 6-1-3 | Modifies alignment requirements for receiving team players in the setup zone on a kickoff or safety kick.
• 6-1-5 | Changes the dead ball spot after a touchback if the ball lands in the end zone and is downed in the end zone by the receiving team, goes out of bounds beyond the receiving team’s goal line, or strikes the receiving team’s goal post, uprights, or crossbar.
• 6-1-6 | Modifies the alignment requirements for the kicking team on an onside kick and permits the kicking team to declare an onside kick at any time during the game if trailing its opponent.
• 15-9 | Expands Instant Replay’s ability to advise the on-field officials on specific, objective aspects of a play and/or to address game administration issues when clear and obvious video evidence is present.
• 16-1-3 | Modifies overtime in regular season to allow both teams an opportunity to possess the ball regardless of the outcome of the first possession, subject to a 10-minute overtime period.

Playing Field Details

Plan of Playing Field

Field Markings

1. The playing field will be rimmed by a solid white border six feet wide along the end lines and sidelines. There will be an additional broken yellow line nine feet four inches farther outside this border along each sideline in the non-bench areas, and such broken line will be continued at an angle from each 30-yard line and pass behind the bench area (all benches a minimum of 30 feet four inches back from the sidelines) at a distance of six feet. In each end zone, this broken yellow line is six feet from the solid white border. These yellow broken lines are to be eight inches wide and two feet long with a space of one foot between them.

   In addition, within each bench area, a solid yellow, 8-inch-wide line, six feet behind the solid border will delineate a special area for coaches, behind which all players, except one player who is charting the game, must remain. Furthermore, a broken white border, four inches wide and four feet long with a space of two-foot intervals will be marked three feet inside the nine-foot four inch broken yellow border on the sideline, extending to meet the existing yellow broken line six feet behind both end zones and at each television box outside the bench area.

2. All lines are to be four inches wide, with the exception of the goal line and yellow lines, which are to be eight inches wide. Tolerance of line widths is plus one-fourth inch.

3. All line work is to be laid out to dimensions shown on the plan with a tolerance of plus one-fourth inch. All lines are straight.

4. All boundary lines, goal lines, and marked yard lines are to be continuous lines.

5. The four intersections of goal lines and sidelines must be marked at inside corners of the end zone and the goal line by pylons. Pylons must be placed at inside edges of white lines and should not touch the surface of the actual playing field itself.

6. All lines are to be marked with a material that is not injurious to eyes or skin.

7. No benches or rigid fixtures should be nearer than 1O yards from the sidelines. If space permits, they may be further back.

8. Player benches can be situated anywhere between respective 35-yard lines. Where possible, a continuation of the dotted yellow line is to extend from the 30-yard lines to a point six feet behind the player benches thereby enclosing this area.

9. A white arrow is to be placed on the ground adjacent to the top portion of each number (with the exception of the 50) with the point formed by the two longer sides pointing toward the goal line. The two longer sides measure 36 inches each, while the crossfield side measures 18 inches. The 18-inch crossfield side is to start 15 inches below the top, and 6 inches from the goalward edge of each outer number (except the 50).

10. The location of the inbounds hash marks is 70’ 9” for professional football, 60’ for college football, measured to the inbound edge of the hash. On fields used primarily by the NFL, the professional inbounds hash marks should be 4 inches wide by 2 feet long. Alternate college lines, if they are to be included, should be 4 inches wide by 1 foot long.

11. Care must be exercised in any end zone marking, decoration (logo), or club identification at the 50-yard line, that said marks or decorations do not in any way cause confusion as to delineation of goal lines, sidelines, end lines, or other field markings. Such markings or decorations must be approved by the Commissioner.

Bench Area

NFL bench area showing restricting zones.

Download a printable PDF of the 2025 Rulebook