What is the challenge rule of the NFL?

Answer 1

The National Football League (NFL) adopted an Instant Replay system in 1999, bringing in the opportunity to "challenge" on-field calls of plays. Each coach can challenge a game official's call, and ask the referee to review the television instant replay, twice per game.

A challenge can only be made on certain reviewable calls before the two minute warning in each half when the team has at least one time-out remaining in the half. When a coach decides to challenge a call, he throws a red flag onto the field, indicating the challenge to the referees. The referee has 90 seconds to watch the instant replay of the play and to decide if the original call was correct. The referee must see "indisputable visual evidence" for a call to be overturned. If the challenge fails, the original ruling stands and the challenging team is charged with a timeout. If the challenge overrules the previous call, the call is reversed with no loss of a timeout. Prior to the 2004 NFL season, the instant replay rule was slightly changed to allow a third challenge if both of the original two challenges were successful.

After the 2-minute warning of each half, and in overtime, reviews can only take place if the replay assistant, who sits in the press box and monitors the network broadcast of the game, determines that a play needs review. In those cases, the replay assistant will contact the referee by a specialized electronic pager with a vibrating alert.

The NFL replay system currently only covers the following situations:

Scoring plays
Pass complete/incomplete/intercepted
Runner/receiver out of bounds
Recovery of a loose ball in or out of bounds
Touching of a forward pass, either by an ineligible receiver or a defensive player
Quarterback pass or fumble
Illegal forward pass
Forward or backward pass
Runner ruled not down by contact
Forward progress in regard to a first down
Touching of a kick
Other plays involving placement of the football
The replay system replaced a system used during the 1986-87 and 1991-92 seasons where a procedure similar to college football's was used. This is still used in the NFL today. While there is some controversy over the appropriateness of some overturned calls, the system is generally accepted as an effective way to ensure a fair game.

Answer 2

If a coach thinks the ref made a bad call, they can challenge the call. The ref will go to a booth and review the play using instant replay. If the coach is correct, the ruling is overturned. If the ref is correct, the coach loses a timeout. Each coach gets 2 challenges per game.

Answer 3

no, the coach doesnt get only two challenge flags per game. the first guy was right, you get a 'bonus' challenge flag if your first to challenges were in your favor. also, in the last two minutes of each half, a coach cannot call for a challenge. these challenges must come from the referees in the booth.

Answer 4

If a call is made and the coach disagrees, he puts a red flag on the field. That signifies the referee to go watch the replay and make a new call if necessary. The coach only gets two flags per game.

Answer 5

Interesting! Never really gave this much thought

Answer 6

Valuable replies, just what I was looking for.