NFL adopts rule changes for 2018 season

ORLANDO – The NFL’s annual meetings have come to a close, and a number of rule, bylaw and resolution proposals have been adopted.

The two rule changes that will get most of the headlines pertain to the new language around the catch rule and the broadening of the helmet-hit rule.

The catch rule was essentially simplified to three simple steps. It will eliminate the requirement to maintain control of the ball throughout the process of going to the ground. Instead, a catch is now defined with a much simpler three-step process: A receiver must control the ball, have two feet or body parts down in the field of play and perform a football move such as taking a third step or reaching out with the…