NFL Instant Replay Rules

In keeping up with changing technologies, the NFL Rules Committee adopted a system of limited instant replay in 1999. The system has been used as a means of allowing coaches and officials to challenge difficult on-the-field calls. The NFL has limited instant replay capabilities during games by penalizing coaches for calling for replays that are not overturned, and by only allowing a certain number of replays per team per game.

History

First adopted in a very limited capacity in 1986, the instant replay system began in earnest in 1999. It allowed coaches to challenge on-the-field calls by throwing a red flag onto the field before the next snap.

Replays

Each team is allowed two instant replays per game. If both of the first two challenges are successful, a team is awarded a third instant replay.

Time Frame

A play may be challenged by a coach at any time during a game, except within the last two minutes of the second quarter and the fourth quarter. At these times, challenges are issued by the officials.

Function

Once a play is challenged, a referee has 60 seconds to watch the replay. A call can only be overturned if the referee sees "incontrovertible visual evidence" of the correct call.

Features

If the call is overturned, the ball may be moved and/or time may be added or removed from the game clock. If a call is not overturned, the game resumes from the previous spot, and the challenging team is charged with one time out.

Types

Challenges can be used on scoring plays, pass completions, out-of-bounds plays, forward passed, fumbles, down-by-contact plays, forward progress plays, touching of a kick and placement of the football.

Fun Fact

Challenges used to be called by coaches through a vibrating pager linked to an official. Since 2004, red flags are used by coaches and pagers are used by officials in the booths within the 2-minute warnings.

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