Kickoffs from the 25-yard line? Three-point conversions? USFL rules to know

To differentiate itself from the NFL, while also providing a level of entertainment to convince fans to watch spring football, the USFL will debut a new set of rules when it returns this weekend.

Most regulations are standard in football. Some alterations, Fox Sports officiating analyst Mike Pereira said, ostensibly favor the offense in the name of creating more scoring opportunities.

"Fans are the USFL’s top priority, so our rules are designed to give fans the traditional physical play they know and love while adding some modern, fast-paced elements," said Pereira, who serves as the USFL's head of officiating.

Here are some key points to keep in mind when watching the USFL this year.

Kickoffs

All kickoffs take place from the 25-yard line; all players on the team kicking off must be within one yard of the 25. The receiving team must have eight players between their 35- and 45-yard lines. The ball is live once it travels 20 yards. The intent of these rules is to create more big-play potential while keeping player safety in mind.

Teams will have the option to retain possession after scoring. That can be achieved by executing a traditional onside kick from the 25, or a fourth-and-12 play from the 33-yard line. If the team makes a first down, it continues the possession. If it doesn't, the defense takes over at the spot of the ball.

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Extra points

Teams have three options after scoring a touchdown:

• One point: Successful kick from the 15-yard line.

• Two points: Successful play from scrimmage from the 2-yard line

• Three points: Successful scrimmage play from the 10-yard line

The goal of this innovation is to make sure no game is out of reach in the fourth quarter. It's also one that received positive reviews during the XFL's brief return in 2020.

"It kind of gives that excitement ... even thinking, 'OK, 18 points down, I’m still down by only two scores,' " Pereira said on Fox News this week. "That’s an innovation I think is going to be really cool."

Replays

All replay decisions will come from the Fox Sports control center in Los Angeles. Each coach receives one challenge per game. The replay command center also has the authority to overrule incorrect personal foul calls (roughing the passer, facemasks, etc.).

Overtime

Overtime is a shootout-style competition that lasts three rounds. Each team's offense has three plays from the opposing 2-yard line, and two points are awarded for successful plays. The team with the most points after three rounds wins. Overtime continues until a team wins.

"It’s a different approach, a different look to overtime, which we know everybody’s been talking about," Pereira said.

Miscellaneous

• Defensive pass interference results in a 15-yard penalty (a spot foul if contact happens within 15 yards). Intentional pass interference beyond 15 yards becomes a spot foul.

• The clock stops after first downs inside of two minutes of the second and fourth quarters.

• No offensive pass interference or ineligible player downfield penalties if the pass doesn't cross the line of scrimmage.

• Here come the trick plays. It's no longer illegal to throw two forward passes from behind the line of scrimmage.

• Play clock: 35 seconds.

Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USFL rules to know as league returns for 2022 spring football