2. Kicking Game Free and Scrimmage Kicks (and Penalty Enforcements)
Tony Dutton
San Angelo Chapter
Slides posted on sazebra.org
Go to: Slide Presentations>Kicking Game 2017

3. Kicking Game 2017 Free Kick Formation Eligibility to Block
Touching & Recovery
Free Kick out of Bounds
Penalty Situations
Scrimmage Kick
Rule Change 2017
Scrimmage Kick Formation
Roughing/Running into Kicker
Behind/Beyond Neutral Zone
Penalty Situations
Post Scrimmage Kick
Opportunity to Catch a Kick
Fair Catch

4. 6-1 Free Kicks

5. 6-1-2-b Free Kick Formation
After the ready all kicking players, except the kicker must be no more than five yards behind their restraining line. A player satisfies this rule when one foot is on or beyond the line five yards behind the restraining line

6. 50 45 40 35 Live-ball foul After the ready & before the kick,
number 21 shifts, moving behind the 35 yd. line . K
Live-ball foul 21 50 45 40 35

7. 50 45 40 35 Live-ball foul As the kicker advances,
Number 21 kicks the ball K
Live-ball foul 21 50 45 40 35

8. A.R VII
Team A is in its formation to kick off at the A-35. Two players are positioned in a four-point stance with their feet on the A-29 and their hands on the A-31. The untouched kick hits the ground in Team B’s end zone.
RULING: Touchback. Team A foul, illegal formation. Team B may put the ball in play at the B-30, or have Team A re-kick from the A-30.

9. When the Ball is Kicked 6-1-c
Team A players, except holder & kicker, must be behind the ball
All Team A players must be inbounds
All Team A players must have been between the nine-yard marks after the ready for play
At least four Team A players must be on each side of the kicker

10. A.R. 6-1-2 IV RULING: Team A foul for illegal formation X X X X X X 11
A11 places the ball on a tee
in the center of the field.
A12 lines up near the ball.
As A11 moves forward, A12
crosses in front of him and
kicks the ball. When the ball
is kicked, A11 is directly
behind the ball with three
teammates on one side of
the ball. A12 plants his non-
kicking foot on the same
side as his three teammates. X X X X 11 12 X
RULING: Team A foul
for illegal formation X X

11. Block on Free Kicker 9-1-16-c
The kicker of a free kick may not be blocked until
He has advanced five yards beyond his restraining line or
The kick has touched a player, an official or the ground
PENALTY– 15 from the previous spot

12. Player Out of Bounds
A Team A player who goes out of bounds during a free kick down may not return in bounds
Does not apply to a player
Who is blocked out of bounds and
Returns in bounds immediately

13. Illegal Wedge Formation 6-1-10
A wedge is two or more players aligned shoulder to shoulder within two yards of each other
It is illegal for three or more players to intentionally form a wedge for the purpose of blocking
A live-ball foul whether or not there is contact
Wedge not illegal from an obvious onside kick formation
No foul if the play is a touchback

14. 6-1-12 Eligibility to Block
No Team A player may block an opponent until Team A is eligible to touch a free-kicked ball.
PENALTY: Live-ball foul. Five yards from the previous spot, or five yards from the spot where the subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B.

15. 6-1-3-a Touching and Recovery of a Free Kick
Team A may not touch a free-kicked ball until after:
It touches a Team B player
It breaks the plane and remains beyond Team B’s restraining line
It touches any player, the ground, an official or anything beyond Team B’s restraining line.

16. 6-1-3 Illegal Touching by Team A
A violation
Gives Team B the privilege of taking the ball at the spot of the illegal touch
Unless
An accepted penalty for a foul by either team or
Offsetting fouls

17. Free Kick Play X A touches the ball illegally and A recovers.
B may have the ball at
the spot of the illegal touch.

18. Free Kick Play X B may have the ball at the spot of the illegal touch.
A touches the ball illegally.
B recovers, advances, fumbles X
A recovers
B may have the ball at
the spot of the illegal touch.

19. Free Kick Play X B personal foul against the kicker,
A touches the ball illegally
and A recovers. X
If A accepts the penalty, 15 yards
From the previous spot and re-kick.
If A declines the penalty, B may have
the ball at the spot of the illegal touch.

20. Free Kick Play X If A declines the penalty, B may have the ball at
the spot of the illegal touch.
A touches the ball illegally.
B recovers and advances.
During B’s advance, B holds. X
B holds.
B fumbles and A recovers.

21. (6-2) Free Kick Out of Bounds
Out of bounds between the goal lines
Untouched by inbounds player of Team B
Live-ball foul (three options)
Five yards from previous spot or
Five yards from the spot where the subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B or
Receiving team’s ball 30 yards beyond Team A’s restraining line

22. Free Kick Play Free Kick out of bounds Untouched by Team B:
Three options:
5 yards from Previous spot & re-kick
B’s ball 5 yards from subsequent dead ball spot
B’s ball 30 yards from previous spot

23. 2-27-15-b Inbounds & Out of Bounds Player
An inbounds player is a player who is not out of bounds.
An inbounds player who becomes airborne remains inbounds until he is out of bounds.

24. A.R. 6-2-2 IV Free kick from the 35. B17 leaps from
inbounds and is the first player to touch the
kick when he grasps the ball while airborne.
He then lands out of bounds with the ball
in his control.
RULING: B17 is inbounds when he touches
the kick. B will have the ball at the yard line
where B17 crosses the sideline.

25. Play Situation Free kick from the 35. When he touches
B33
Play
Situation
Free kick from the 35. When he touches
the kick, receiver B33 has one foot touching
the sideline.
RULING: Team A foul, free kick out of
bounds.

26. Free Kick Play (2-30-2)
Interval from the time the ball is legally kicked until it comes into player possession or declared dead by rule: Basic spot = Previous spot.
Running Play
Legal
kick.
Player possession
or declared dead.

27. But Remember FK out of bounds, untouched by B, three options
Previous spot and re-kick, or
30 yards beyond previous spot, or
5 yards from where subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B
Kick catch interference: Spot foul or, if behind goal line, touchback and penalize from succeeding spot
Block or foul by B player who signals and does not touch the ball: Spot foul
Illegal wedge formation: Spot foul or spot where dead ball belongs to B if behind spot of foul; Previous spot and re-kick if ball belongs to A
Team A fouls: May be previous spot or spot where subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B

28. Free Kick Play X B block below the waist. During the run:
Basic Spot: End of the run.
During the kick:
Previous Spot.

29. Free Kick Play X Team A Personal foul. During the run:
Basic Spot: End of the run.
During the kick:
Previous Spot or
penalize from where
subsequent dead ball
belongs to Team B.

30. A.R. 9-4-1 IX B muffs a free kick in the end zone, then bats the
ball out of the end zone
A.R IX B
RULING: The result of the play is a touchback.
Team B foul for illegally batting a ball in the
end zone. Penalty – 10 yards, previous spot G

31. Scrimmage Kicks (Punts and Field Goal Attempts)

32. 2-16-10 Scrimmage Kick Formation
A scrimmage kick formation is a formation with no player in position to receive as hand-to-hand snap from between the snapper’s legs and with either (1) at least one player 10 or more yards behind the neutral zone; or (2) a potential holder and potential kicker seven or more yards behind the neutral zone in position for a place kick. For either (1) or (2) to qualify as a scrimmage kick formation, it must be obvious that a kick will be attempted.

33. Numbering Exception 7-1-4-a-5
Players on the line of scrimmage not numbered 50 through 79 become numbering-exception players when the snapper is established and
Must be on the line of scrimmage and
Not on the end of the line of scrimmage
Are ineligible receivers

34. Snapper Established (2-27-8)
[The snapper] is established as the snapper when
He takes a position behind the ball and
Touches or simulates touching the ball (hand[s] at or below the knees)

35. 4th & 9 Live-ball foul when the ball is snapped 77 35 52 67 24 87 8543 12 32
Live-ball foul when the ball is snapped 44

36. Contact Against the Snapper 9-1-14
When a team is in scrimmage kick formation, a defensive player may not initiate contact with the snapper until one second has elapsed after the snap

37. A.R. 9-1-14 I 5 0 4 0 A10 A10 is in a shotgun formation 71/2 yards
behind the snapper.
Immediately at the snap
B55 charges the snapper
pushing him backward.
B55
RULING: Legal. No special protection
for the snapper because A10 is not in a
scrimmage kick formation (at least 10
yards deep). Snapper has usual protection
against any personal foul.

38. A.R III
Immediately after the snap, with Team A in a scrimmage kick formation, noseguard B71 attempts to “shoot the gap” between the snapper and the adjacent lineman. B71’s initial contact is with the lineman next to the snapper
RULING: Legal. Incidental contact with the snapper after this initial legal contact is not a foul

39. Rule Change b
2016
No defensive player who runs forward from beyond the neutral zone and leaps from beyond the neutral zone in an obvious attempt to block as field goal or try may land on any player(s).
It is not a foul if the player was aligned in a stationary position within one yard of the line of scrimmage when the ball was snapped.
2017
No defensive player who runs forward from beyond the neutral zone may leap or hurdle in an obvious attempt to block as field goal or try. It is not a foul if the player was aligned in a stationary position within one yard of the line of scrimmage when the ball was snapped.

40. Leverage, Leaping & Landing 9-1-11
No defensive player inside the tackle box may try to block a punt by leaving his feet to leap directly over an opponent
No foul if the player jumps straight up without attempting to jump over an opponent
No foul if a player attempts to jump through or over the gap between players

41. Leverage, Leaping & Landing 9-1-11
No defensive player in an attempt to block, bat or catch a kick may
Step, jump or stand on a teammate
Place a hand(s) on a teammate to get leverage for additional height
Be picked up by a teammate, or be elevated, propelled or pushed
PENALTY— 15 yards, previous spot, automatic first down

42. Leverage, Leaping & Landing 9-1-11
No player may position himself with his feet on the back or shoulders of a teammate before the snap
PENALTY – Dead-ball foul. 15 yards, succeeding spot. Automatic first down

43. Roughing or Running into the Kicker 9-1-16
When a scrimmage kick is obvious, no opponent shall run into or rough the kicker or holder of a place kick
Roughing is a personal foul that endangers the kicker or holder (15 yards, previous spot, automatic first down)
Running into is a foul when the kicker or holder is displaced from his position (5 yards, previous spot)
Incidental contact is not a foul

44. Roughing or Running into the Kicker 9-1-16-a
Kicker’s protection ends when
(a) He has had a reasonable time to regain his balance or
(b) He carries the ball outside the tackle box before kicking
No foul when defensive player’s contact is caused by an opponent’s block (legal or illegal)
No foul if player touches the kick and contacts the kicker or holder
Foul if a player other than the one who touches the kick runs into or roughs the kicker or holder
When in question, the foul is roughing

45. Roughing or Running into the Kicker 9-1-16-b
A kicker or holder simulating being roughed or run into by a defensive player commits an unsportsmanlike act
PENALTY: 15 yards from the previous spot

46. A.R I
A1 catches a long snap, plans to punt, but misses the ball which falls to the ground. A1 is then contacted by B1
RULING: Team A fumble. No foul by B1. There is no kicker until the ball is kicked

47. A.R III
A1, from a non-scrimmage kick formation, makes a quick, unexpected kick so suddenly that B1 cannot avoid contact
RULING: Not roughing or running into since the rule applies only when it is obvious that a kick will be made

48. A.R V
After B1 runs into the kicker, kicker A25 simulates being roughed
RULING: Offsetting fouls

49. A.R VI
Team A is in a scrimmage kick formation. Punter A1 moves laterally two or three steps to recover a faulty snap, or recovers a snap that went over his head. B2 contacts A1 in an unsuccessful attempt to block the kick
RULING: A1 does not automatically lose his protection in either case unless he carries the ball outside the tackle box. While in the tackle box A1 is entitled to protection as in any other kicking situation. When it becomes obvious that A1 intends to kick in a normal punting position, defensive players must avoid him after he kicks the ball

50. A.R VII
Punter A22 is 15 yards behind the neutral zone when he catches the long snap, sprints to his right at an angle toward the line of scrimmage, and runs outside the tackle box. He then stops, punts the ball, and is immediately hit by a diving B89.
RULING: Legal play, no foul by B89. A22 loses his roughing or running into protection by carrying the ball outside the tackle box

51. 6-3-7 Out of Bounds Between the Goal Lines
Belongs to the receiving team at the dead ball spot

52. Team B’s ball at the out of bounds spot

53. A.R I
Scrimmage kick out of bounds. B’s ball where the ball crossed the sideline. 1st and 10.

54. 6-3-1 Behind the Neutral Zone
Scrimmage kick fails to cross the neutral zone
All players may catch, recover, and advance
Blocked kick not more than three yards beyond the neutral zone considered to be within or behind the neutral zone

55. 6-3-2 Beyond the Neutral Zone
Kicking team may not touch before it touches an opponent
Illegal touching is a violation
Gives the receiving team the privilege of taking the ball at the spot of the violation, unless
Privilege is canceled by accepted penalty for a foul by either team, or there are offsetting fouls

56. Team A Punts B may have the ball at the spot of the illegal touch. X
A touches the ball
illegally. B recovers,
advances, fumbles X K
A recovers
B may have the ball at
the spot of the illegal touch.

57. Team A Punts Series Based on A.R. 6-3-2 Touchdown K B advances
and fumbles
A recovers
and scores
Touchdown

58. Team A Punts Series Based on A.R. 6-3-2 X Touchdown. Personal foul
A touches the ball
illegally. B recovers,
advances, fumbles X K
B facemask
during the
run
A recovers
and scores
Touchdown. Personal foul
penalty on try or succeeding
kickoff

59. Team A Punts Series Based on A.R. 6-3-2 If A declines the penalty,
A touches the ball
illegally. B recovers,
advances, fumbles X K
B holds during
B’s advance
A recovers
and scores
If A declines the penalty,
B may have the ball at
the spot of the illegal touch

60. Team A Punts Series Based on A.R. 6-3-2 5 and 10 yard penalties are
A touches the ball
illegally. B recovers,
advances, fumbles X K
A recovers
and scores
B holds
during A’s run
5 and 10 yard penalties are
declined by rule. B’s ball at
the spot of the illegal touch

61. Team A Punts Series Based on A.R. 6-3-2 X
A touches the ball
illegally. B recovers,
advances, fumbles X K
B fouls
during the
run
A recovers
and is tackled
at the 6
Team A accepts the penalty enforced
from the end of the run. A’s ball
1st & goal from the 3

62. Scrimmage Kick Play (2-30-3)
Interval between the snap and when a scrimmage kick comes into player possession or ball declared dead by rule. Basic spot = Previous spot
Player possession
or ball declared
dead by rule. K
Snap
Running
Play

63. But Remember
Kick catch interference: Spot foul or, if behind goal line, touchback and penalize from succeeding spot
Block or foul by B player who signals and does not touch the ball: Spot foul
Team A bats loose ball untouched by B behind B’s goal line: Violation and B may elect touchback
Offensive team fouls behind the neutral zone: Previous spot (not basic spot), safety if behind Team A’s goal line
Team A fouls: May be previous spot or spot where subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B

64. A.R. 10-2-2 III RULING: 15 yards, previous
B muffs K X
A clip
during
loose
ball
RULING: 15 yards, previous
spot (A retaining the ball) or
15 yards from spot where
subsequent dead ball belongs
to Team B.

65. Based on A.R. 10-2-2 IV & V 15 yard penalty from
Team A
punts 30 K
B returns
to the 30
and fumbles X
Team A clip
during the return
15 yard penalty from
the basic spot, the end
of the run. B’s ball 1st &10 X
Team A clip
while the ball
is loose from
the fumble
15 yard penalty from
the basic spot, the end
of the run, which is the
spot of the fumble. B’s ball
1st & 10

66. A.R. 10-2-2 VI RULING: Safety or Team B may snap the ball at the 25
Team A
punts
Untouched
out of bounds
at the 40 40 K X
Team A
clips before
the kick
RULING: Safety or Team B
may snap the ball at the 25

67. Remember Also PSK Foul governed by post scrimmage kick rules:
Applies only to fouls by Team B
During a scrimmage kick
Not during a try, successful field goal, or in an extra period
Ball crosses the neutral zone
Foul occurs before the end of the kick
Team A is not in legal possession when the ball is declared dead
Basic Spot = Post Scrimmage Kick Spot

68. Post Scrimmage Kick Spot (2-25-11)
Two Possibilities
Kick ends in field of play
Kick ends in Team B end zone
PSKS – Spot Where the Kick Ends
PSKS – Team B 20-yard line (also Special Cases – unsuccessful field goal)

69. Spot Where Kick Ends (2-25-9)
Where a scrimmage kick that crosses the neutral zone is caught, recovered, or declared dead by rule

70. A.R. 10-2-3 VI RULING: Post Scrimmage Kick enforcement. 10 yards
Team A
punts
B44 returns
to the 40 K X
B holds
during the kick
RULING: Post Scrimmage
Kick enforcement. 10 yards
from the end of the kick.
B’s ball 1 & 10 at the 15 40 25

71. A.R. 10-2-3 VII 4th & 7 Team A punts RULING: Foul not
B44 returns
to the 40 K
RULING: Foul not
covered by post scrimmage
kick enforcement since it is
before the kick. 10-yard penalty
from previous spot gives Team A
a first down. X
B77 grabs
guard A66 at the
snap and pulls
him to the side
allowing the
linebacker to
shoot the gap 40 25

72. RULING: Previous spot and re-kick or B’s ball 10 yards From the
A punts from its
15 yard line.
During the
kick, A holds. X K
RULING: Previous
spot and re-kick or
B’s ball 10 yards
From the
subsequent spot
where ball
belongs to B.
B catches at
the 45 and returns to
the 35 yard line.

73. ASU vs. SWOSU 9-12-09 45 RULING: PSK Enforcement. 15 yards from
ASU punts from its
15 yard line.
During the kick,
SWOSU blocks X
below the waist. K
RULING: PSK
Enforcement.
15 yards from
The PSK spot
(end of the kick).
SWOSU catches at
the 45 and returns to
the 35 yard line. 45

74. Dallas vs. Tampa Bay 9-13-09 RULING: Post ScrimmageX
B2 kicks
the ball
out of bounds.
Dallas vs.
Tampa Bay
B1 muffs
the kick. K
A punts.
RULING: Post Scrimmage
Kick enforcement. B’s ball
after 15 yard penalty from
the basic spot

75. PSKS Special Cases (2-25-11-b-1, 2 & 3)
Unsuccessful field goal attempt, ball untouched by B after crossing neutral zone, declared dead beyond neutral zone: PSKS =
a) Previous spot if on or outside B’s 20-yard line.
b) Team B’s 20-yard line, if previous spot is between B’s 20-yard line and the goal line
Rule (scrimmage kick untouched by Team B batted by Team A in B’s end zone): PSKS = Team B’s 20-yard line
Rule b (valid fair catch signal, muff, ball caught): PSKS = Where Receiver First Touched

76. A.R. 10-2-3-IV RULING: Team A may decline the penalty and accept the
Team A’s successful
field goal from
B’s 30. Team B fouls
at the 20 during the
kick. 30 K H X
Team B
foul.
RULING: Team A may decline
the penalty and accept the
score or void the score and
have Team B penalized at the
previous spot. G

77. A.R. 10-2-3 V RULING: Post Scrimmage Kick Spot [Basic Spot] is the 30.
Team A’s field goal snapped
from B’s 30 is unsuccessful.
Team B fouls at the 15 during
the kick 30 K H X
Team B
foul
RULING: Post Scrimmage Kick
Spot [Basic Spot] is the 30.
Enforcement is from the 15.
Team B’s ball. No possible replay G

78. After short kick, A87, disgusted, kicks the ball out of bounds
RULING: 4th & 17½ and re-kick
(no loss of down if foul when
legal scrimmage kick is beyond
the neutral zone) or B’s ball
1st & 10 after penalty from spot
where subsequent dead ball
belongs to Team B
4th & 10 at A’s 15
Team A punt
1 5 G

79. 4th & 10 at A’s 15 RULING: Safety or B’s ballK
RULING: Safety or B’s ball
1st & goal at the ½-yard line
after penalty for illegally
kicking the ball (10 yards
and loss of down)
Kicker muffs the snap
and kicks the ball at the
1-yard line out of bounds
behind the goal line
1 5 G

80. A.R. 9-4-4 I A’s scrimmage kick hits B25 on the
leg at B’s 7 yard line. At the 4,
B25 then kicks the ball over the end line
B25
RULING: The result of the play is a safety, as B25’s kicking
the ball provides new impetus. Foul by B25 for illegally kicking.
Team A may decline the penalty and take the 2 points, or
accept the penalty. The foul by B25 is governed by
postscrimmage kick rules. The accepted penalty would give
Team B the ball 1st and 10 at the 2 yard line
1 0 G

81. 6-4-1-a Opportunity to Catch a Kick
Receiving team player located so that he could make the catch must be given an unimpeded opportunity to catch
A free kick
A scrimmage kick beyond the neutral zone

82. 6-4-1-b Interference before receiver touches the ball if
A Team A player enters the area defined by
The width of the receiver’s shoulders
Extending one yard in front of him
When in question: it is a foul

83. A.R VI
B25 is standing at the B-35 in position to catch a punt. As the ball is on its downward flight, A88 runs by B25 very close to his side causing B25 to adjust his position before catching the ball. A88 does not make contact and does not penetrate the one-yard area in front of B25.
RULING: Foul by A88. Even though B25 catches the ball, A88’s action causes him to move away from his original position and thus interferes with his opportunity to make the catch.

84. 6-4-1-c Protection Ends When
Team B muffs or touches
A free kick or
A scrimmage kick beyond the neutral zone
The kick touches the ground (Exception:free kick driven to the ground and bounces into the air)

85. 2-8-1 Fair Catch Catch by a Team B player Who has made a valid signal
Of an untouched free kick or
An untouched scrimmage kick beyond the neutral zone

86. 2-8-2 Valid Signal Signal by a player of Team B who
Obviously signaled his intention
One hand only
Clearly above his head
Side to side
More than once

87. 2-8-3 Invalid Signal Any other waving signal Signal given
After the catch is made
After the kick strikes the ground or
After the kick touches another player

88. 6-5 Fair Catch
Team B player who makes a valid signal, and muffs the kick, still has an opportunity to complete the catch; unimpeded opportunity to catch continues
After a valid or invalid signal by any Team B player, no Team B player may advance more than two steps
A Team B player who has made a valid or invalid signal and does not touch the ball shall not block or foul an opponent

89. And That’s All
Thank You