UIL Adds Instant Replay to Football State Championships
The University Interscholastic League will use instant replay at all UIL Football State Championship games beginning in 2018.
UIL plays football by NCAA rules, and each year the UIL reviews exceptions to NCAA football rules through the UIL Football Rules Committee. UIL will use the NCAA rules for instant replay with two exceptions. There will be no coaches’ challenges. The replay officials initiate all reviews. Additionally, they will not call targeting as a result of a study. Officials on the field are the only ones to call targeting. All discussions will take place in a replay booth, with a collegiate replay official reviewing plays.
“With all UIL State Championship football games at a single location, we have the technology and ability to utilize these powerful tools to make the state championships the best possible experience for coaches, players, officials, and fans,” UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt said. “Instant replay will help ensure that the calls during the biggest games of the year are as correct as possible.”
A replay will not be permitted during regular season games, or during playoff games before the state championship.
“Because we play football by NCAA rules, which allow for instant replay, we have this opportunity. We are extremely excited to add instant replay to our state championship games,” UIL Director of Athletics Dr. Susan Elza said. “We’ve studied this topic thoroughly, and have had many conversations with officials and coaches. The consensus we’ve heard is that our game is ready for this and it will be a valuable addition.”