KICKS Anefo September 14, 2015 Kevin Chapman

Agenda 1. Free Kicks Positioning Rules/Enforcement Onside Kicks 2.Scrimmage Kicks Positioning Rules/Enforcement Field Goals

Free Kicks Positioning & Mechanics Press Box R B L H U

Legal Formation Team A: 1. 4 players on either side of ball 2. All players:  Within the 9’s after RFP  Starting within 5yds. of ball (exc. the player who kicks the ball)  Behind ball when kicked(exc. Kicker/holder)  All inbounds 3. Ball on/between the hash marks on the restraining line Illegal procedure/offside – 5yds. Team B: 1. All inbounds 2. All behind restraining line when kicked K H L

Team A Restrictions  Cannot touch until: 1.The ball hits a Team B player 2.The ball breaks plane of B’s restraining line and remains beyond 3.Touches anything beyond B’s restraining line Illegal Touch: Team B may take at touch spot unless: o Accepted foul, or o Offsetting fouls K H L  Cannot block until: Team A is eligible to touch the ball Illegal Block – 5yds.  Can catch or recover ball, but cannot return a free kick U B

Onside Kick Mechanics  U and L  Check for legal formation  Officiate Restraining Line as a plane  Observe:  Action on the kicker  Illegal Blocks (flag)  Illegal Touch (beanbag) K H L U B  H and B  No Team B in buffer zone  Observe:  Illegal Blocks  Illegal Touch  Fair catch/KCI  Wind clock  Kill play if Team A recovers

Onside Kick Examples

Team A Restrictions (Ball in Play)  Cannot step out of bounds Must remain out of bounds Illegal Procedure – 5yds.

Team A Restrictions (Ball in Play)  Cannot kick the ball out of bounds before it is touched by Team B Penalty Enforcement: 1. 5 yards from previous spot and rekick 2. 5 yards from dead ball spot (on inbound hash) yards beyond Team A’s restraining line (usually Team B 30)  Suggested Mechanics: o Drop flag at OOB spot o Relay to upfield official the yard line (26 yd. line or closer) o Official covering sideline gives offended team only two options o Covering official signals  Give Illegal Procedure signal for rekick  Potpourri: o Team B player who, while inbounds, leaps and catches a free kick inbounds but lands out of bounds is OOB. NEW: This is not a penalty for kickoff OOB. o Team B player who catches a free kick with one foot OOB is deemed to be OOB. It is a Penalty for kickoff OOB even if ball was caught inbounds

Team B Restrictions (Ball in Play)  Cannot block kicker until: Has gone 5 yds. beyond restraining line, or Kick has touched something Illegal Block – 15yds.  Cannot form an illegal wedge Definition members 2. Shoulder-to-shoulder 3. Within 2 yds. of each other Illegal Block – 15 yds.  Any time after it is kicked  Foul even with no contact

Free Kick – Penalty Enforcement Team A Kickers All fouls Except KCI Team B Possesses Team A Possesses Previous or Tack-on Previous Spot KCI Spot Foul Team B Receivers Block After Fair Catch All Others Spot Foul Previous Spot

Scrimmage Kicks Positioning & Mechanics Press Box B L H U R X K B

Definitions  Scrimmage Kick:  Kick made in or behind the NZ  Punt, drop kick, or place kick (for a field goal/try) Illegal Kick – entire body beyond the NZ (whistle!) 5yds. Previous spot and LOD  Scrimmage Kick Formation :  At least 1 player 7yds. behind NZ  No player in position to receive hand-to-hand

Punt Block  Ball crossed the NZ?  NZ is extended 3yds. NO YES 1.Either Team Can Recover & Advance 2.Team A: a)Run b)Pass c)Kick Again 3.Continuity of Downs NOT broken Kick OOB ALWAYS belongs to B unless an accepted penalty is enforced 1.Either Team Can Catch or Recover  ONLY Team B can advance 2.Team A cannot be first to touch:  Illegal Touch Violation  Beanbag A’s touch, but keep officiating! 3.Continuity of Downs IS broken  No more line to gain

Scrimmage Kick – Penalty Enforcement Team A Kickers All fouls Except KCI Team B Possesses Team A Possesses Previous or Tack-on Previous Spot KCI Spot Foul Team B Receivers PSK All Others: 1. Roughing 2. Running 3. Leaping 4. Leverage 5. Fouls at snap IF: 1.Ball crosses NZ 2.Foul During Kick 3.B possesses at end Previous Spot Fouls by Team A in own EZ is a SAFETY Basic Spot is End of Kick (BEANBAG!)

Kick Catch Interference  All Team B players must have legitimate and unmolested opportunity to catch a kick  Applies to Free Kicks and Scrimmage Kicks  Applies on Onside Kicks where ball is kicked immediately off the ground and pops up  “Mini Halo” – No team A player can enter area:  Width of receiver’s shoulder  Extending 1 yard in front  KCI is judgment call of covering official, but: 1.Contact with a receiver before the ball arrives is KCI 2.Contact simultaneous with arrival of the ball is KCI 3.Causing a returner to alter or adjust route the ball is KCI  Philosophy: 1.Contact not necessary but do not over officiate – 15 yd. penalty 2.Does not matter if receiver gave fair catch signal 3.Does not matter if receiver caught the ball 4.If Team A tackles – not an additional penalty unless UNR

Fair Catches VALID INVALID 1.Extending 1 hand (only) above head, and 2.Waving side to side more than once 1.Any signal that doesn’t qualify as a valid fair catch. (e.g. “get away”),or 2. Any signal after: Ball hits the ground Ball is touched by a player Ball already caught/recovered

Fair Catches VALID INVALID 1.Afforded Protection from being contacted/tackled after catch 2. Protection continues even if muffed into the air (“unimpeded opp’y. to complete catch”) 3. Ball dead once caught yd. penalty 1.Ball is still dead once caught, but 2.No protection from being tackled (KCI still possible), and 3. No opp’y. to complete catch In either case, B can foul by: 1.Deliberately advancing the ball (DOG – 5 yds.) (WHISTLE!) 2.Signaler cannot commit ANY foul after signaling (n.b. 15 yds. for ANY foul PSK or spot foul)

Other Kick Rules  Field Goals Unsuccessful, beyond NZ, untouched by B Spot is previous spot or 20 yd. line Team B may not leap (15yds.) Run forward > 1yd. Leap and land on teammate or opponent Team B may not line up 3 defenders, shoulder-to- shoulder, moving forward, with contact against single Team A player (5yds. Previous spot) Team B may not run into or rough the kicker or holder (kicker loses protection outside tackle box) (no foul if B is legally OR illegally blocked into)