Just another chance. A chance to lock in their shoulder pads one more time, to tie their cleats tight and to once again bring back the pre-game ritual just one more time.

The XFL is back for the 2020 season after their downfall in 2001. The league was announced in August and includes eight teams split between the east and west divisions. The East Division includes the New York Guardians, D.C. Defenders, St. Louis Battlehawks and Tampa Bay Vipers. In the West, we have the Houston Roughnecks, Dallas Renegades, Seattle Dragons and LA Wildcats.

With the new introduction they also introduced five new rules. These rules include a variation of the NFL’s rules but overall are completely different and change the way the game is played.

The first rule is the Double Pass, players can forward pass the ball to another player and that player can still throw the ball as long as both actions are behind the line of scrimmage.

The second rule is on the kickoff. The kickoff was modified to allow for safer conditions and features a major change. The kicker kicks from the 30-yard line and must kick the football past the 20-yard line or in the end zone. The defensive team lines up on the opposite 35-yard line and the returning team lines up on the 30-yard line.

The third rule is a change in the play clock. The play clock was shortened to 25 seconds (40 for the NFL) in order to allow for a fast paced game style.

The fourth rule is a punting change. The small change on the punting side allows for easier and less pressured kicks and returns. The gunners or wing players on each team can’t move until the ball is kicked and the kicking teams line can’t move past the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked. This change can allow precious time to the returner, maybe even allowing him to run for 6 or get much needed yardage.

The fifth and final rule change deals with the PAT or the point after touchdown. In traditional football you can either kick a field goal for one or run a play for two. However, in the XFL they allow you to score one, two, or three points after a touchdown. These points have nothing to do with kicking a ball into the field goal but rather successfully completing a play into the end zone from the 2 yd line (1), 5 yd line (2), or 10 yd line (3).

So far, they are two weeks in and it has been nothing short of exciting. Through these two weeks the standings entail 1. Houston. 2. D.C. 3. St. Louis. 4. Seattle. 5. Dallas. 6. New York. 7. L.A. and 8. Tampa Bay.

The Championship game for the XFL is scheduled for April 26, 2020 and is held at the University of Houston.