1. Thank you. I very much appreciate the opportunity to be here today
Thank you! I very much appreciate the opportunity to be here today. Before we get into THE KICKING GAME, I will say one thing: Just because I’ve been at this for a very long time doesn’t mean I know everything about the rules. I think I have a pretty good grip on them, but if I present or say something you believe to be incorrect, don’t be afraid to challenge me. I will not be offended in an way. In fact, I welcome it, especially if we get something corrected.
OKAY – let’s get into THE KICKING GAME!

2. THE KICKING
GAME

3. IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS FOR THE KICKING GAME

4. IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
WHAT IS KICKING THE BALL?
THE KICKING GAME

5. IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
WHAT IS KICKING THE BALL?
a: INTENTIONALLY STRIKING THE BALL WITH THE KNEE, LOWER LEG, OR FOOT
THE KICKING GAME

6. IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
WHAT TYPES OF KICKS ARE LEGAL?
THE KICKING GAME

7. IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
WHAT TYPES OF KICKS ARE LEGAL?
(2-16)
PLACE KICK (two types)
FREE KICK PLACE KICK
FIELD GOAL PLACE KICK
PUNT
DROP KICK
WHAT DISTINGUISHES THE TYPES OF LEGAL KICKS?
THE KICKING GAME

8. IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
WHAT TYPES OF KICKS ARE LEGAL?
FREE KICK PLACE KICK ( b, c, d):
BALL KICKED WHILE STATIONARY ON GROUND, ON 1” (MAX.) TEE; MAY BE CONTROLLED BY A TEAMMATE; MAY BE LEANING ON TEE
OCCURS ON KICKOFF, OR KICK AFTER SAFETY
THE KICKING GAME

9. IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
WHAT TYPES OF KICKS ARE LEGAL?
FIELD GOAL PLACE KICK ( a, c, d):
BALL KICKED WHILE CONTROLLED BY A TEAMMATE ON THE GROUND, OR (by U.I.L. Exception) ON 2” (MAX.) TEE
DURING ANY SCRIMMAGE DOWN
NCAA field goal tee rule changed in 1989.
THE KICKING GAME

10. IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
WHAT TYPES OF KICKS ARE LEGAL?
PUNT (2-16-2, , ):
BALL DROPPED BY BC AND THEN KICKED BEFORE IT STRIKES THE GROUND
DURING ANY SCRIMMAGE DOWN, OR TO PUT THE BALL IN PLAY ON A FREE KICK AFTER A SAFETY (ONLY – NOT ON K/O)
THE KICKING GAME

11. IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
WHAT TYPES OF KICKS ARE LEGAL?
DROP KICK (2-16-3, ):
BALL DROPPED BY BC AND THEN KICKED AS IT TOUCHES THE GROUND
AS A FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT, OR TO PUT THE BALL IN PLAY ON ANY FREE KICK
THE KICKING GAME

12. IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
WHAT / WHO IS A KICKER?
THE KICKING GAME

13. IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
WHAT / WHO IS A KICKER? a
PLAYER THAT MAKES A LEGAL KICK
JUST A PLAYER OR BALL CARRIER UNTIL HE ACTUALLY KICKS THE BALL PER RULE
REMAINS KICKER UNTIL HE HAS HAD REASONABLE TIME TO REGAIN BALANCE
THE KICKING GAME

14. IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
WHAT / WHO IS A HOLDER?
THE KICKING GAME

15. IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
WHAT / WHO IS A HOLDER? b
TEAM A PLAYER THAT HOLDS / CONTOLS BALL ON GROUND OR TEE
REMAINS HOLDER UNTIL NO PLAYER IS IN POSITION TO MAKE A KICK; OR, AFTER A KICK, UNTIL KICKER IS NO LONGER A KICKER
NCAA field goal tee rule changed in 1989.
THE KICKING GAME

16. IMPORTANCE OF DEFINTION OF “HOLDER”
THE KICKING GAME

17. IMPORTANCE OF DEFINTION OF “HOLDER”
(IN ADDITION TO RUNNING INTO / ROUGHING THE HOLDER)
THE KICKING GAME

18. DEAD BALL EXCEPTION
BY 4-3-b [Exception] A HOLDER MAY HAVE KNEE (OR ANY BODY PART) TOUCHING THE GROUND AND THE BALL REMAINS ALIVE, UNDER THESE CONDITIONS:
POTENTIAL KICKER WAS IN POSITION AT THE SNAP
WHILE, AND AFTER, KICKER IS IN PROCESS OF KICKING OR SIMULATING KICKING THE BALL
THE KICKING GAME

19. Rule 6 - Kicks

20. Rule 6 - Kicks FREE KICKS (6-1)
TEAM A (KICKING TEAM) REQUIREMENTS (6-1):
IF PLACE KICK, BALL MUST BE KICKED FROM A POINT ON A’S RESTRAINING LINE; IF PUNT OR DROP KICK, CAN BE ANYWHERE BEHIND R/L
ONCE BALL IS READY, LATERAL KICK LOCATION CAN’T BE CHANGED WITHOUT A T/O (OR REPEAT OF THE DOWN, ETC.) (EDITED FOR 2018)
THE KICKING GAME

21. Rule 6 - Kicks FREE KICKS (6-1) TEAM A (KICKING TEAM) REQUIREMENTS:
DURING RFP PERIOD, EVERYONE EXCEPT EVENTUAL KICKER MUST HAVE AT LEAST ONE FOOT NOT MORE THAN 5 YARDS FROM RESTRAINING LINE (LIVE-BALL FOUL)
THE KICKING GAME

22. Rule 6 - Kicks FREE KICKS (6-1) TEAM A (KICKING TEAM) REQUIREMENTS:
AT THE KICK:
EVERYONE MUST BE INBOUNDS
EVERYONE MUST BE BEHIND BALL (EXCEPT PLACE KICKER AND/OR HOLDER)
AT LEAST FOUR PLAYERS ON EACH SIDE OF KICKER
THE KICKING GAME

23. Rule 6 - Kicks FREE KICKS (6-1) TEAM A (KICKING TEAM) REQUIREMENTS:
AT THE KICK: (CONTINUED)
EVERYONE MUST HAVE BEEN WITHIN 9-YARD MARKS (AFTER RFP SIGNAL); MECHANICALLY, GOOD PRACTICE TO ‘ASK’ PLAYERS TO STAY INSIDE NUMBERS UNTIL RFP WHISTLE
THE KICKING GAME

24. Rule 6 - Kicks FREE KICKS (6-1) TEAM B (RECEIVING TEAM) REQUIREMENTS:
NO REQUIREMENTS DURING RFP PERIOD
AT KICK:
EVERYONE INBOUNDS
EVERYONE BEHIND THEIR RESTRAINING LINE
THE KICKING GAME

25. Rule 6 - Kicks FREE KICKS (6-1) ILLEGAL TOUCHING (6-1-3):
TEAM A RESTICTED FROM TOUCHING THE KICKED BALL UNTIL:
BALL HAS REACHED (OR GONE BEYOND) B’S RESTRAINING LINE, OR
B HAS TOUCHED THE BALL
THE KICKING GAME

26. Rule 6 - Kicks FREE KICKS (6-1) ILLEGAL TOUCHING (6-1-3):
MECHANICS: IF BALL IS ILLEGALLY TOUCHED:
IF BALL REMAINS LOOSE, DROP BEAN BAG AT SPOT OF “ITK”
IF BALL IS CAUGHT OR RECOVERED, ONLY NEED TO SIGNAL TIMEOUT
THE KICKING GAME

27. Rule 6 - Kicks FREE KICKS (6-1) ILLEGAL TOUCHING (6-1-3):
IF ILLEGALLY TOUCHED, TEAM B CAN ELECT TO TAKE POSSESSION OF THE BALL AT ANY SPOT OF ILLEGAL TOUCHING
ACCEPTED PENALTY BY EITHER TEAM (OR OFFSETTING FOULS) CANCELS ILLEGAL TOUCHING PRIVILEGE
THE KICKING GAME

28. Rule 6 - Kicks
FREE KICKS (6-1) MECHANICALLY, WHAT DO WE DO IF BALL IS LEGALLY TOUCHED?
THE KICKING GAME

29. Rule 6 - Kicks FREE KICKS (6-1)
WHAT DO WE DO IF BALL IS LEGALLY TOUCHED?
IF BALL REMAINS LOOSE, WIND THE CLOCK!
(UNLESS B TOUCHED BALL IN END ZONE BEFORE BALL TOUCHED THE GROUND IN END ZONE; THEN WAIT UNTIL BALL COMES BACK INTO FIELD OF PLAY – LOOSE OR IN B POSSESSION)
THE KICKING GAME

30. Rule 6 - Kicks FREE KICKS (6-1)
WHAT DO WE DO IF BALL IS LEGALLY TOUCHED?
IF BALL REMAINS LOOSE, WIND THE CLOCK!
IF BALL IS CAUGHT/RECOVERED BY B (NOT GROUNDED), WIND THE CLOCK (BALL CONTINUES IN PLAY)!
(UNLESS B TOUCHED BALL IN END ZONE BEFORE BALL TOUCHED THE GROUND IN END ZONE; THEN WAIT UNTIL BALL COMES BACK INTO FIELD OF PLAY – LOOSE OR IN B POSSESSION)
THE KICKING GAME

31. Rule 6 - Kicks FREE KICKS (6-1)
WHAT DO WE DO IF BALL IS LEGALLY TOUCHED?
IF BALL REMAINS LOOSE, WIND THE CLOCK!
IF BALL IS CAUGHT/RECOVERED BY B (NOT GROUNDED), WIND THE CLOCK!
IF BALL CAUGHT/RECOVERED BY A, BALL IS DEAD – NO ADVANCE ALLOWED (BUT COULD BE TD)
THE KICKING GAME

32. Rule 6 - Kicks FREE KICKS (6-1)
KICKED BALL TOUCHES GROUND IN EZ (6-1-7):
UNTOUCHED BY B, INSTANT TOUCHBACK (B-25)
AFTER TOUCHED BY B, BALL IS ALIVE AND IN PLAY
BALL GOES OB OR BECOMES DEAD IN B’S POSSESSION IN EZ – JUST A TOUCHBACK (B-25)
IF DEAD IN A’s LEGAL POSSESSION IN EZ - TD
THE KICKING GAME

33. Rule 6 - Kicks FREE KICK OUT OF BOUNDS (6-2):
UNTOUCHED BY B: KOB FOUL BY A
TOUCHED BY OB PLAYER OF EITHER TEAM – KOB FOUL BY A
TOUCHED BY B PLAYER INBOUNDS, OR AIRBORNE FROM INBOUNDS, AND BALL THEN GOES OB, OR IS CARRIED OB BY B PLAYER – NOT A KOB FOUL
THE KICKING GAME

34. Rule 6 - Kicks FREE KICK OUT OF BOUNDS (6-2):
KOB PENALTY (FOUR OPTIONS):
5 YARD PENALTY FROM PREVIOUS SPOT AND REPEAT THE FREE KICK
5 YARD PENALTY FROM SPOT WHERE KICK WENT OB
TAKE THE BALL 30 YARDS FROM THE PREVIOUS SPOT (TYPICALLY, THE B-30 IN U.I.L.)
DECLINE THE PENALTY (TAKE BALL AT OB SPOT)
ANY TIME OB SPOT IS INSIDE B-25, TAKE 30 YARD OPTION.
THE KICKING GAME

35. Rule 6 - Kicks FREE KICK - TEAM A PLAYER OB (6-1-11):
PLAYER OB VOLUNTARILY (OR DOESN’T RETURN “IMMEDIATELY” IF BLOCKED OB) DURING ENTIRE DOWN MAY NOT RETURN INBOUNDS FOR REMAINDER OF DOWN
PHILOSOPHY: ANY CONTACT BY OPPONENT QUALIFIES AS ‘BLOCKED OUT’
“IMMEDIATE RETURN” MEANS AS SOON AS PLAYER CAN POSSIBLY RETURN INBOUNDS
THE KICKING GAME

36. Rule 6 - Kicks FREE KICK - TEAM A PLAYER OB (6-1-11):
ANY ACTION BY PLAYER THAT RETURNS INBOUNDS IS UNAFFECTED BY THE ILLEGAL RETURN (TOUCHING OF BALL, CONTACT WITH OPPONENTS, ETC.)
ILLEGAL RETURN PENALTY IS FIVE YARDS FROM PREVIOUS SPOT (OR ADDED TO SPOT WHERE DEAD BALL BELONGS TO B)
THE KICKING GAME

37. Rule 6 - Kicks FREE KICK – WEDGE BLOCKING (6-1-10):
MORE THAN TWO B PLAYERS MAY NOT ALIGN THEMSELVES SHOULDER-T0-SHOULDER WITHIN TWO YARDS OF EACH OTHER (“WEDGE”) FOR THE PURPOSE OF BLOCKING FOR THE BC
CONTACT WITH OPPONENT NOT REQUIRED; FOUL FOR SIMPLY FORMING THE ‘WEDGE’
THE KICKING GAME

38. Rule 6 - Kicks FREE KICK – WEDGE BLOCKING (6-1-10):
DOES NOT APPLY TO OBVIOUS ON-SIDE KICKS
NO FOUL IF PLAY RESULTS IN A TOUCHBACK (BY RULE), OR IF FAIR CATCH (BY PHILOSOPHY)
THIS IS A NON-CONTACT FOUL, AND PENALTY IS 15 YARDS FROM SPOT OF FOUL, SPOT WHERE BALL BELONGS TO B (WHICHEVER IS MOST ADVANTAGEOUS FOR TEAM A), OR PREVIOUS SPOT IF DEAD BALL BELONGS TO TEAM A
THE KICKING GAME

39. Rule 6 - Kicks
SCRIMMAGE KICKS (6-3)
THE KICKING GAME

40. Rule 6 - Kicks
SCRIMMAGE KICKS (6-3) SCRIMMAGE KICK FORMATION WHAT IS IT AND WHY IS IT?
THE KICKING GAME

41. Rule 6 - Kicks SCRIMMAGE KICK FORMATION WHAT IT IS (2-16-10):
TEAM A HAS:
AT LEAST ONE PLAYER AT LEAST 10 YARDS BEHIND NZ (PUNT), OR
A “POTENTIAL HOLDER AND POTENTIAL KICKER” AT LEAST SEVEN YARDS BEHIND NZ (FIELD GOAL), AND
NO ONE IN POSITION TO RECEIVE A HAND-HAND SNAP
IT IS OBVIOUS A KICK WILL BE ATTEMPTED
THE KICKING GAME

42. Rule 6 - Kicks SCRIMMAGE KICK FORMATION WHY IT IS (7-1-4-a-5):
GIVES TEAM A THE ABILITY TO BE EXEMPT FROM THE MANDATORY PLAYER NUMBERING REQUIREMENTS, WITH CERTAIN CONDITIONS (NOTED ABOVE)
ORIGINATED IN 1985 TO REPLACE “REPORTING” OF PLAYERS TO UMPIRE AS INELIGIBLE
THE KICKING GAME

43. Rule 6 - Kicks SCRIMMAGE KICK FORMATION WHY IT IS (7-1-4-a-5):
WHEN A IS IN A SKF:
NO MANDATORY NUMBERING FOR LINEMEN
IF FEWER THAN FIVE LINEMEN NUMBERED 50-79, ANY INTERIOR LINEMAN NUMBERED 1-49, WHEN SKF IS ESTABLISHED MUST BE INTERIOR LINEMEN AT THE SNAP
NOTE: IF A HAS 5 LINEMEN 50-79, NO POSITION RESTRICTIONS
THE KICKING GAME

44. SCRIMMAGE KICK FORMATION?50 88 64 76 65 99 77
NEUTRAL ZONE
4/10, 50, 6:00 (2) -
SCRIMMAGE KICK FORMATION?
10 YARDS 31 42 22 11
THE KICKING GAME

45. SCRIMMAGE KICK FORMATION?50 88 64 76 65 99 77
NEUTRAL ZONE
SCRIMMAGE KICK FORMATION?
YES, BUT THERE AE NO NUMBERING EXCEPTIONS, SO THERE IS NO RESTRICTION ON POSTION OF TEAM A PLAYERS
10 YARDS 31 42 22 11
THE KICKING GAME

46. SCRIMMAGE KICK FORMATION?
NEUTRAL ZONE 50 77 99 65 64 76 88
SCRIMMAGE KICK FORMATION?
YES, BUT THERE AE NO NUMBERING EXCEPTIONS, SO THERE IS NO RESTRICTION ON POSTION OF TEAM A PLAYERS
10 YARDS 31 42 22 11
THE KICKING GAME

47. SCRIMMAGE KICK FORMATION?
NEUTRAL ZONE 50 99 33 65 64 36 88
SCRIMMAGE KICK FORMATION?
10 YARDS 31 42 22 11
THE KICKING GAME

48. SCRIMMAGE KICK FORMATION? INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION.
NEUTRAL ZONE 50 99 33 65 64 36 88
SCRIMMAGE KICK FORMATION?
INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION.
WHAT IS DOWN/DISTANCE?
10 YARDS 31 42 22 11
THE KICKING GAME

49. NEUTRAL ZONE 50 99 33 65 64 36 88
1/10, A-40, 3:00 (1), NO SCORE
10 YARDS 31 42 22 11
THE KICKING GAME

50. ILLEGAL FORMATION, IF THEY SNAP (NOT 5 LINEMEN 50-79)
NEUTRAL ZONE 50 99 33 65 64 36 88
1/10, A-40, 3:00 (1), NO SCORE
NOT A SKF
ILLEGAL FORMATION, IF THEY SNAP (NOT 5 LINEMEN 50-79)
10 YARDS 31 42 22 11
THE KICKING GAME

51. NEUTRAL ZONE 50 99 33 65 64 36 88
4/10, A-40, 3:00 (1), NO SCORE
10 YARDS 31 42 22 11
THE KICKING GAME

52. NEUTRAL ZONE 50 99 33 65 64 36 88
4/10, A-40,3:00 (1),
NO SCORE
YES – SKF
(POTENTIAL PUNT)
10 YARDS 31 42 22 11
THE KICKING GAME

53. WHO ARE “EXCEPTIONS” TO MANDATORY NUMBERING?
NEUTRAL ZONE 50 99 33 33 65 64 36 36 88
SKF
WHO ARE “EXCEPTIONS” TO MANDATORY NUMBERING?
10 YARDS 31 42 22 11
THE KICKING GAME

54. BEFORE SNAP, 33 & 99 SWAP POSITIONS50 88 64 36 65 33 99
NEUTRAL ZONE
BEFORE SNAP, 33 & 99 SWAP POSITIONS
10 YARDS 31 42 22 11
THE KICKING GAME

55. 50 88 64 36 65 33 99
NEUTRAL ZONE
ILLEGAL AT THE SNAP
33 WAS AN ‘EXCEPTION’ TO MANDATORY NUMBERING AND MUST BE AN INTERIOR LINEMEN AT THE SNAP
10 YARDS 31 42 22 11
THE KICKING GAME

56. 80 88 84 86 95 99 97
NEUTRAL ZONE 42 31
4/10, B-35, 3:00 (1), NO SCORE
7 YARDS 22 11
THE KICKING GAME

57. YES – SKF (POTENTIAL FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT)80 88 84 86 95 99 97
NEUTRAL ZONE 42 31
4/10, B-35, 3:00 (1), NO SCORE
YES – SKF (POTENTIAL FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT)
7 YARDS 22 11
THE KICKING GAME

58. 80 88 84 86 95 99 97
NEUTRAL ZONE 42 22 31
4/10, B-35, 3:00 (1), NO SCORE
7 YARDS 11
THE KICKING GAME

59. 80 88 84 86 95 99 97
NEUTRAL ZONE 42 22 31
4/10, B-35, 3:00 (1), NO SCORE
NOT A SKF
(NO PLAYER AT LEAST 10 YARDS BEHIND NZ)
ILLEGAL FORMATION IF THEY SNAP (NOT 5 LINEMEN 50-79)
7 YARDS 11
THE KICKING GAME

60. 80 88 84 86 95 99 97
NEUTRAL ZONE 42 31
2/10, B-30, 0:04 (4), A=21, B=23
7 YARDS 22 11
THE KICKING GAME

61. YES – SKF (POTENTIAL FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT)80 88 84 86 95 99 97
NEUTRAL ZONE 42 31
2/10, B-30, 0:04 (4), A=21, B=23
YES – SKF (POTENTIAL FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT)
7 YARDS 22 11
THE KICKING GAME

62. Rule 6 - Kicks SCRIMMAGE KICKS (6-3) FAILS TO CROSS NZ (6-3-1)
ALL PLAYERS (BOTH TEAMS) ELIGIBLE TO TOUCH / CATCH / RECOVER AND ADVANCE BALL
IF A CATCHES / RECOVERS THE KICK, AND BALL BECOMES DEAD IN THEIR POSSESSION, THE NEXT DOWN IS PER RULE 5
THE KICKING GAME

63. Rule 6 - Kicks SCRIMMAGE KICKS (6-3) CROSSES NZ (6-3-2)
OFFICIALLY CROSSES NZ WHEN IT TOUCHES SOMETHING – ANYTHING – BEYOND THE NZ (EXCEPTION: “BLOCKING” OF KICK WITHIN 3 YARDS OF NZ - IGNORED)
TEAM A NOT ELIGIBLE TO TOUCH BALL UNTIL TOUCHED BY TEAM B
THE KICKING GAME

64. Rule 6 - Kicks SCRIMMAGE KICKS (6-3) CROSSES NZ (6-3-2)
ILLEGAL TOUCHING:
IF ILLEGALLY TOUCHED, TEAM B CAN ELECT TO TAKE POSSESSION OF THE BALL AT ANY SPOT OF ILLEGAL TOUCHING
ACCEPTED PENALTY BY EITHER TEAM (OR OFFSETTING FOULS) CANCELS ILLEGAL TOUCHING PRIVILEGE
THE KICKING GAME

65. Rule 6 - Kicks SCRIMMAGE KICKS (6-3) CROSSES NZ (6-3-2)
BALL MUFFED BY B:
A ELIGIBLE TO TOUCH/CATCH/RECOVER BALL
MECHANICS: USE SIGNAL 11 (LEGAL TOUCHING) – DO NOT DROP BEAN BAG
THE KICKING GAME

66. Rule 6 - Kicks SCRIMMAGE KICKS (6-3) CROSSES NZ (6-3-2)
POSSESSION BY B (NO FAIR CATCH):
BY NON-GROUNDED B PLAYER, BALL CONTINUES IN PLAY
SPOT OF CATCH IS END OF KICK
MECHANICS: MARK YARD LINE OF END OF KICK WITH BEAN BAG
THE KICKING GAME

67. Rule 6 - Kicks SCRIMMAGE KICKS (6-3) CROSSES NZ (6-3-2)
POSSESSION BY B:
BY GROUNDED B PLAYER, OR AFTER VALID/INVALID FAIR CATCH SIGNAL - BALL DEAD; BELONGS TO B AT THAT SPOT
NO NEED FOR BEAN BAG; SPOT OF CATCH IS END OF KICK
THE KICKING GAME

68. Rule 6 - Kicks SCRIMMAGE KICKS (6-3) KICKED BALL GOES OB (6-3-7)
BALL BELONGS TO TEAM B, REGARDLESS OF DOWN NUMBER AT SNAP
REGARDLESS IF BALL FAILS TO CROSS NZ
THE KICKING GAME

69. Rule 6 - Kicks SCRIMMAGE KICKS - TEAM A PLAYER OB (6-3-12:
PLAYER OB VOLUNTARILY (OR DOESN’T RETURN “IMMEDIATELY” IF BLOCKED OB) DURING ENTIRE DOWN MAY NOT RETURN INBOUNDS FOR REMAINDER OF DOWN
SAME AS FOR FREE KICK (5 YARD PREV. SPOT, OR ADD TO SPOT WHERE DEAD BALL BELONGS TO B; RETURNING INBOUNDS HAS NO EFFECT ON OTHER ACTIONS)
THE KICKING GAME

70. Rule 6 - Kicks SCRIMMAGE KICKS - DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
ON FIELD GOAL ATTEMPTS (ONLY - REGULAR SCRIMMAGE OR TRY), THREE (OR MORE) D-LINEMEN INSIDE THE BLOCKING ZONE MAY NOT ALIGN THEMSELVES SHOULDER-TO-SHOULDER AND CHARGE FORWARD TOGETHER AND BLOCK A SINGLE OPPONENT
5 YARD “ILLEGAL BLOCK” FOUL (S19), FROM PREVIOUS SPOT
THE KICKING GAME

71. Rule 6 - Kicks
KICK CATCH INTERFERENCE (6-4)
THE KICKING GAME

72. Rule 6 - Kicks KICK CATCH INTERFERENCE (6-4)
BY RULE, TEAM B ALWAYS HAS THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEMPT TO CATCH ANY FREE KICK, OR A SCRIMMAGE KICK BEYOND THE NZ
IT IS A “RIGHT,” AND TEAM B DOES NOT HAVE TO DO ANYTHING TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY
TEAM A MUST YIELD TO TEAM B, AND GIVE THEM A PATH AND SPACE TO MAKE THE CATCH
THE KICKING GAME

73. Rule 6 - Kicks
KICK CATCH INTERFERENCE (6-4)
PATH:
TEAM A MUST ALLOW RECEIVER TO MOVE TO A SPOT TO ATTEMPT THE CATCH
IF RECEIVER HAS TO ADJUST HIS ROUTE TO AVOID TEAM A PLAYER, OR CAN NOT GET TO THE BALL BECAUSE OF A TEAM A PLAYER (MOVING OR STATIONARY), KCI FOUL BY A
THE KICKING GAME

74. Rule 6 - Kicks
KICK CATCH INTERFERENCE (6-4)
SPACE:
TEAM A MUST GIVE RECEIVER ROOM TO MAKE CATCH – MINIMUM ONE YARD DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF RECEIVER (WIDTH OF RECEIVER’S SHOULDERS), WHILE BALL IS IN ITS DOWNWARD FLIGHT, AND RECEIVER IS IN POSITION TO MAKE THE CATCH
THE KICKING GAME

75. Rule 6 - Kicks
KICK CATCH INTERFERENCE (6-4)
SPACE:
IF RECEIVER HAS TO ADJUST HIS ROUTE OR POSITION TO AVOID TEAM A PLAYER, OR CAN NOT GET TO THE BALL BECAUSE OF A TEAM A PLAYER (MOVING OR STATIONARY), KCI FOUL BY A
THE KICKING GAME

76. Rule 6 - Kicks SPACE: KICK CATCH INTERFERENCE (6-4)
OBVIOUSLY, CONTACT WITH RECEIVER IN POSITION TO MAKE CATCH BEFORE RECEIVER TOUCHES BALL IS KCI FOUL
ALSO, CONTACT WITH RECEIVER JUST AS THE RECEIVER TOUCHES BALL IS KCI FOUL; ‘STRETCH’ THE TIME IN FAVOR OF THE RECEIVER
THE KICKING GAME

77. Rule 6 - Kicks
KICK CATCH INTERFERENCE (6-4)
SPACE:
”BUZZING” THE RECEIVER AND AFFECTING HIS ABILITY TO CATCH THE BALL IS KCI (EVEN IF NOT IN FRONT OF RECEIVER)
KCI APPLIES EVEN IF RECEIVER IS ABLE TO COMPLETE THE CATCH
THE KICKING GAME

78. Rule 6 - Kicks KICK CATCH INTERFERENCE (6-4)
KCI DOES NOT APPLY AFTER KICKED BALL TOUCHES GROUND, OR TOUCHES A PLAYER OF TEAM B (WITHOUT A FAIR CATCH SIGNAL)
KCI APPLIES ON FREE KICK THAT IS DRIVEN DIRECTLY INTO GROUND OFF TEE AND BOUNCES UP LIKE BEING KICKED DIRECTLY OFF TEE (UNTIL BALL TOUCHES GROUND AGAIN)
THE KICKING GAME

79. Rule 6 - Kicks KICK CATCH INTERFERENCE (6-4)
IF RECEIVER GIVES VALID FAIR CATCH SIGNAL AND MUFFS THE CATCH ATTEMPT, HE STILL HAS KCI PROTECTION AS LONG HE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMPLETE THE CATCH (JUDGMENT CALL), OR UNTIL THE BALL TOUCHES THE GROUND
THE KICKING GAME

80. Rule 6 - Kicks KICK CATCH INTERFERENCE (6-4)
PENALTY:
PENALTY IS 15 YARDS FROM SPOT OF FOUL (FREE KICK OR SCRIMMAGE KICK)
EXCEPTION (NEW FOR 2018): ON FREE KICK (ONLY), IF VALID FAIR CATCH SIGNAL GIVEN, AND KCI IS BEHIND B-25, ENFORCEMENT SPOT FOR PENALTY IS THE B-25
THE KICKING GAME

81. Rule 6 - Kicks
FAIR CATCH (6-5)
THE KICKING GAME

82. Rule 6 - Kicks FAIR CATCH (6-5)
FAIR CATCH AND KCI ARE NOT ‘DIRECTLY’ RELATED
TEAM B MUST OFFER A ”CONTRACT” TO TEAM A TO BE GIVEN FAIR CATCH PROTECTION
CONTRACT IS OFFERED BY B (AND ACCEPTED BY A) BY RECEIVER MAKING A VALID SIGNAL
APPLIES TO ALL FREE KICKS, AND SCRIMMAGE KICKS BEYOND THE NEUTRAL ZONE
THE KICKING GAME

83. Rule 6 - Kicks FAIR CATCH (6-5) VALID SIGNAL:
OBVIOUS SIGNAL (GIVEN WITH PLENTY OF TIME)
ONE HAND (ONLY)
ABOVE HEAD
WAVED FROM “SIDE TO SIDE” MORE THAN ONCE
ANY OTHER SIGNAL IS INVALID
THE KICKING GAME

84. Rule 6 - Kicks FAIR CATCH (6-5)
“CONTRACT” MEANS THAT RECEIVER PROMISES THAT NEITHER HE, NOR ANYONE ELSE ON HIS TEAM, WILL ATTEMPT TO ADVANCE THE BALL, IN EXCHANGE FOR TEAM A NOT TACKLING THE (SIGNALING) RECEIVER AFTER HE COMPLETES THE CATCH
NOTE: CONTACT WITH RECIEVER BEFORE CATCH IS MADE IS COVERED BY 6-4, KCI
THE KICKING GAME

85. Rule 6 - Kicks FAIR CATCH (6-5)
IF ANY A PLAYER COMPLETES A “CATCH” AFTER ANY SIGNAL (VALID OR INVALID), BALL IS DEAD AND MAY NOT BE ADVANCED BY ANYBODY
IF SIGNAL IS VALID; IF SIGNALER IS FIRST TO TOUCH THE BALL; AND IF SIGNALER COMPLETES THE CATCH, SIGNALER IS “PROTECTED” (MAY NOT BE TACKLED OR BLOCKED AFTER THE CATCH)
THE KICKING GAME

86. Rule 6 - Kicks FAIR CATCH (6-5)
IF SOMEONE OTHER THAN SIGNALER COMPLETES THE CATCH, THAT PLAYER IS NOT “PROTECTED”
COULD BE SIMPLY TACKLED OR BLOCKED IMMEDIATLEY AFTER MAKING CATCH
BUT LATE HIT RULES APPLY
TARGETING RULES APPLY
THE KICKING GAME

87. Rule 6 - Kicks
FAIR CATCH (6-5)
AFTER VALID SIGNAL, IF SIGNALER MUFFS THE BALL, THEN HE OR A TEAMMATE COMPLETES THE CATCH, TEAM B GETS THE BALL AT THE SPOT WHERE IT WAS FIRST TOUCHED BY SIGNALER
(2018 RULE ADDITION FOR FREE KICKS ONLY – DISCUSSED LATER)
THE KICKING GAME

88. Rule 6 - Kicks
FAIR CATCH (6-5)
AFTER INVALID SIGNAL, IF SIGNALER MUFFS THE BALL, THEN HE OR ANOTHER B PLAYER COMPLETES THE CATCH, a TELLS US THAT TEAM B GETS THE BALL AT THE SPOT OF THE CATCH
BUT………
THE KICKING GAME

89. Rule 6 - Kicks
FAIR CATCH (6-5)
….A.R I (EDITED FOR 2018) TELLS US THAT, AFTER A VALID OR INVALID SIGNAL, THEN A MUFF BY SIGNALER, THEN A CATCH BY ANY B PLAYER, THE BALL BELONGS TO TEAM B AT THE SPOT WHERE IT WAS FIRST TOUCHED BY SIGNALER
THE KICKING GAME

90. Rule 6 - Kicks
FAIR CATCH (6-5)
WHICH IS IT? WE DON’T KNOW, YET. QUESTION HAS BEEN POSED TO SEC-EDITOR; NO RESPONSE, YET
THE KICKING GAME

91. Rule 6 - Kicks NEW FOR 2018: ON FREE KICKS ONLY
FAIR CATCH (6-5)
NEW FOR 2018: ON FREE KICKS ONLY
IF SIGNALER COMPLETES THE CATCH (VALID OR INVALID SIGNAL, CLEAN CATCH, OR AFTER MUFF) BETWEEN THE B-25 AND THE B GOAL LINE, B GETS THE BALL AT THE B-25
THE KICKING GAME

92. Rule 6 - Kicks NEW FOR 2018: ON FREE KICKS ONLY
FAIR CATCH (6-5)
NEW FOR 2018: ON FREE KICKS ONLY
IF SIGNALER MUFFS THE BALL AND ANOTHER B PLAYER COMPLETES THE CATCH, THAT IS NEITHER A FAIR CATCH NOR A QUALIFYING CATCH AFTER AN INVALID SIGNAL, SO B GETS BALL AT THE SPOT OF THE CATCH
THE KICKING GAME

93. Rule 6 - Kicks NEW FOR 2018: ON FREE KICKS ONLY
FAIR CATCH (6-5)
NEW FOR 2018: ON FREE KICKS ONLY
IF (AFTER ANY SIGNAL) BALL IS RECOVERED (BY DEFINITION), NEW RULE DOES NOT APPLY; IF B RECOVERS, THEY GET THE BALL AT THE SPOT OF RECOVERY
THE KICKING GAME

94. Rule 6 - Kicks NEW FOR 2018: ON FREE KICKS ONLY
FAIR CATCH (6-5)
NEW FOR 2018: ON FREE KICKS ONLY
IF, AFTER A VALID SIGNAL (ONLY) ,TEAM A COMMITS KCI BETWEEN THE B-25 AND THE B GOAL LINE, THE SPOT OF ENFORCEMENT IS THE B-25.
(THIS IS THE DISINCENTIVE FOR TEAM A TO COMMIT KCI)
THE KICKING GAME

95. QUESTIONS

96. This is a training program produced by the Texas Association of Sports Officials. TASO is an independent organization, providing support, resources and training for Texas high school sports officials. With more than 150 local chapters serving over 14,000 members throughout the state, we are one of the largest professional organizations for sports officials in the country.