Tuck rule' eliminated and helmet blows outlawed after vote among NFL owners

Roger Goodell: Pleased with the rule changes that have been passed by NFL owners

The controversial 'tuck rule' has been scrapped, while players will no longer be able to deliver a blow with the crown of their helmet if they are outside the tackle box or at least three yards downfield.National Football League owners have voted in two significant rule changes at their annual meeting in Phoenix.

Under the 'tuck rule', a pass was ruled incomplete rather than a fumble if the quarterback's arm was going forward when the ball was knocked loose, even if he had started to tuck the ball back into his body.

Now if the ball is knocked loose while the quarterback is bringing the ball back towards his body, it will result in a fumble.

Only the Pittsburgh Steelers voted to keep the rule while the Washington Redskins and New England Patriots, who were the most famous beneficiaries of the rule in the 2001-02 play-offs, abstained.

The more controversial proposal, designed to increase player safety, was the elimination of helmet hits, something which will now draw a 15-yard penalty.

The change is set to affect running backs the most, especially power backs who are used to lowering the body and head into hits in order to gain extra yards. The rule change was reportedly voted in by a 31-1 margin.

"I think we made some very significant progress on both those matters," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said.

A final rule change means that reviews are now still allowed even when challenge flags are thrown illegally by coaches.

A team will lose a timeout - or be penalised 15 yards if they have no timeouts left - if they throw a challenge flag illegally, but the play can still be reviewed by the booth.