6. Free Kick

Question 1

KICKOFF—BALL LANDS SHORT OF LANDING ZONE
On a kickoff from the A35, the ball
(a) lands at the B21 or
(b) hits player B83 in the setup zone and bounces to the B12. On-field officials blow the play dead when the ball hits the ground or player B83 short of the setup zone

Answer 1

(a) and (b) B’s ball first-and-10 at the B40. A kick that lands or touches a player short of the landing zone is treated like a kickoff out of bounds. The game clock should not have run because the ball was dead immediately

Question 2

KICKOFF —BALL TOUCHED BY PLAYER NEAR LANDING ZONE
On a kickoff from the A35, kicker A19 kicks a line drive ball that is
(a) deflected by B55 who remains with two feet on the ground in the setup zone; or
(b) is deflected by B55 who jumps up from his position in the setup zone at the B35.

Answer 2

(a) B’s ball first-and-10 at the B40.
(b) Re-kick from the A35. Illegal Formation on the receiving team because B55 moved before the ball touched a player or the ground in the Landing Zone or End Zone. Foul on the kicking team for short of landing zone.

Note: Even though the penalty for Team B’s illegal formation foul could be enforced from the dead ball spot if Team A did not also foul, it does not create a Double/With or a Double/After when combined with another penalty because it occurred before any change of possession, and it is not a dead ball foul. Team B did not get the ball clean, so the only option is to replay the down.

Question 3

KICKOFF—BALL TOUCHES A PLAYER IN LANDING ZONE
On a kickoff from the A35, the ball lands at the B5 and bounces to the B1 where
(a) it is recovered by B87 who returns the ball to the B10
(b) it goes untouched by the receiving team and A55 recovers the ball at the B1.

Answer 3

Rulings:
(a) B’s ball first-and-10 at the B10.
(b) A’s ball first-and-goal at the B1.

Note: The ball is “live” once it lands in the landing zone and either team can possess the ball.

Question 4

KICKOFF—BALL LANDS OR TOUCHES A PLAYER IN LANDING ZONE AND ROLLS INTO END ZONE
On a kickoff from the A35, the ball lands or is muffed by B87 at the B5 and bounces
(a) into the end zone and is downed by B87;
(b) goes out of bounds behind B’s goal line; or
(c) bounces into the end zone and back out to the B2 were B87 recovers and downs it.

Answer 4

(a) and (b) B’s ball first-and-10 at the B20.
(c) B’s ball, first-and-10 at the B2.

Question 5

KICKOFF—SHORT OF LANDING ZONE – FOUL(S) ON THE PLAY
On a kickoff from the A35, the ball lands short of the landing zone at the B22 and the officials blow the play dead immediately.
(a) Team A was in an illegal formation, or
(b) after the ball hit the ground, A2 and B2 committed unnecessary roughness fouls.

Answer 5

(a) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B40. Team B option: to decline the foul for illegal formation, as that would be enforced from the dead ball spot, the B22, enforce the foul from the previous spot, or accept the foul for the kick short of the landing zone 25 yards from the previous spot.
(b) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B22 or re-kick A35. This is a double foul with a change of possession and a double foul after a change of possession. The fouls offset at the spot where B’s foul would be enforced if it were the only foul, which is the dead ball spot on this play. There is also an option to re-kick for a double foul with a change of possession on a kick play.

Note: This would be the same ruling for a kickoff out of bounds.

Question 6

KICKOFF—AIRBORNE BALL LANDS IN END ZONE
On a kickoff from the A35, the ball lands in the end zone and
(a) B87 downs the ball in the end zone;
(b) bounces out of bounds in the end zone;
(c) B87 returns the ball to the B37; or
(d) bounces out to the B2 where B87 recovers and downs it.

Answer 6

(a) and (b) B’s ball first-and-10 at the B35;
(c) B’s ball first-and-10 at the B37;
(d) B’s ball first-and-10 at the B2.

Question 7

KICKOFF-RECEIVING TEAM PLAYER STRADDLING LINE
On a kickoff from the A35, returner B80
(a) catches the ball with one foot on the B21 and the other foot on the B19;
(b) catches the ball with one foot on the B1 and the other foot in the end zone and downs the ball in the end zone;
(c) with both feet in the end zone, reaches out to catch the ball at the 1-yard line and downs the ball in the end zone; or
(d) starts in the end zone and leaves his feet and catches the ball in the air at the B2 where he continues downfield to the B25.

Answer 7

(a) B’s ball first-and-10 at the B40;
23
(b) B’s ball first-and-10 at the B20;
(c) B’s ball first-and-10 at the B35;
(d) B’s ball first-and-10 at the B25.

The location of the player’s feet determines whether a ball was caught in or outside the landing zone. At the B20, this is identical to the situation when a receiving team player catches a kick while straddling the sideline and the ruling is a kickoff out of bounds.

Note: In (b), (c) and (d), the ball is live, and the receiving team player must either down the ball in the end zone or return it in the field of play

Question 8

KICKOFF—TIMING OF MOVEMENT OF PLAYERS—BALL LANDS OR TOUCHES A PLAYER IN LANDING
ZONE
On a kickoff from the A35, the ball lands at the B5 and is picked up and returned by B87 to the B18. Prior to the ball hitting the ground or a player inside the landing zone, (a) A38 of the kickoff team lifts a foot and starts to move downfield;
(b) B75 of the receiving team takes a step while inside the setup zone; or
(c) A38 of the kickoff team moves downfield and B75 of the receiving team reacts and moves to block him.

Answer 8

(a) Re-kick A30 for the offside; or B’s ball first-and-10 on the B23. The setup zone and landing zone do not change if the penalty is enforced from the previous spot for a re-kick.

(b) Re-kick from A40 or B’s ball first-and-10 on B13. Because Team A did not also foul, this penalty can be enforced from the dead ball spot if Team B maintains its possession.

(c) Re-kick from A35. Offsetting fouls (Illegal formation by A and Illegal Formation by B). It is a live ball foul if a kicking team player on the kicking team’s restraining line or receiving team player in the setup
zone move their feet before the ball hits the ground or a player in the landing zone or end zone.

Question 9

KICKOFF—TIMING OF MOVEMENT OF PLAYERS—BALL TOUCHES GROUND IN END ZONE
On a kickoff from the A35, the ball lands in the end zone and is not immediately possessed by the receiving team. Eventually, B80 picks up the loose ball and returns it to the B15. Kicking team player A50 started downfield and B52
moved downfield to block when the ball landed in the end zone.

Answer 9

Ruling:
B’s ball first-and-10 on B15. Players on both the kicking and receiving teams can move once the ball hits the ground or a player in the end zone.

Question 10

KICKOFF—DEEP RECEIVER’S ACTIONS
On a kickoff from the A35, B4 is one of the two deep receivers and is standing on the B5 yard line. As the kicker approaches the ball, he runs forward and is at the B22 when the ball is kicked. He continues into the receiving team’s setup zone and is at the B32 when the ball is caught at the B4 by returner B1. B1 is tackled at the B35.

Answer 10

Ruling: Re-kick A40 or B’s ball, first-and-10 on B30. There are two fouls for Illegal formation. All receiving team players lined up outside the setup zone must remain behind the receiving team’s 20-yard line until the ball is kicked and behind the receiving team’s 30-yard line until the ball lands or is touched by a receiving team player in the landing zone or end zone. This foul can be enforced from the dead ball spot if Team B maintains its possession.

Question 11

GAME CLOCK STARTS WHEN BALL IS TOUCHED BY EITHER TEAM
With :05 remaining in the fourth period, Team A kicks the ball into the landing zone and the ball rolls untouched for 3 seconds. B80 eventually downs the ball at the B30, and the game clock reads :05 at the end of the down.

Answer 11

Ruling: B’s ball first-and-10 at B30. Reset game clock to :04. The clock starts upon touching by either team in the landing zone, so at least one second should have run off the clock.

Question 12

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT/PALPABLY UNFAIR ACT
With :03 remaining in the fourth period, Team A kicks the ball from the A35 into the landing zone. Prior to the ball hitting the ground or a player inside the landing zone,
(a) multiple players of the kicking team intentionally move downfield; or
(b) multiple players of the receiving team intentionally move while inside the setup zone.

Answer 12

Ruling: Unsportsmanlike Conduct/Palpably Unfair Act. Officials may use their discretion and whistle the play dead
as “unimpeded” by the kicking/receiving team. Officials may also treat this conduct as a palpably unfair act.
(a) Re-kick A20 or, if the play is not shut down as “unimpeded” by the kicking team, an option to add 15 yards to the end of the play. Reset the game clock to :03 in either case;
(b) Re-kick 50 and reset the game clock to :03 or if the play is not shut down as “unimpeded” by the receiving team, an option to decline the penalty.

Note: All reasonable efforts should be made to not allow either team to abuse the rule. The officials can enforce the foul in any manner they deem equitable whether or not a prior warning has been given.

Question 13

ONSIDE KICK GOES UNTOUCHED THROUGH SETUP ZONE
With 14:55 remaining in the fourth period, Team A is trailing by 12 points and declares an onside kick to the officiating crew. The ball is kicked and goes through the setup zone untouched. The officials immediately blow the play dead when the ball touches the ground or a player beyond the B40 yard line.

Answer 13

Ruling: Unsportsmanlike Conduct. B’s ball first-and-10 at A20. The penalty is enforced 15 yards from the kicking team’s restraining line and the ball belongs to the receiving team.

Question 14

ONSIDE KICK FAILS TO GO 10 YARDS—UNTOUCHED BY EITHER TEAM
A1 tries an onside kick from the A35. The ball rolls to a stop untouched at the A44.

Answer 14

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on A44. The ball belongs to the receiving team at the dead ball spot.

Question 15

ONSIDE KICK—ILLEGAL TOUCH
On an onside kick from the A35, A1 illegally touches the ball at the A43. B1 picks up the ball, runs to the A20, fumbles, and A2 recovers there.

Answer 15

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on A43. Team B has the option to take the ball at the spot of illegal touching by Team A, however, the five-yard penalty for illegal touching cannot be enforced from the illegal touch spot, unless that is also the dead ball spot.

Question 16

ONSIDE KICK—ILLEGAL TOUCH—TEAM B RECOVERS OR KICK GOES OUT OF BOUNDS
On an onside kick from the A35, A1 illegally touches the ball at the A44. The ball continues to roll to the A48 where:
(a) B1 recovers and is tackled; or
(b) B1 touches the ball, and it then rolls out of bounds there.

Answer 16

Rulings: (a) and (b) B’s ball, first-and-10 on A43. The five-yard penalty for illegal touching is enforced from the dead ball spot.

Note: Team B could also take the ball at the illegal touch spot (A44), but the five-yard penalty for the illegal touching can only be enforced from the dead ball spot.

Question 17

ONSIDE KICK—ILLEGAL TOUCH
On an onside kick from the A35:
(a) A2 illegally recovers the ball at the A42;
(b) the kick goes out of bounds untouched at the 50; or
(c) A2 illegally touches the kick at the A42, after which B1 picks up the kick at the A46 and returns it to the A21.

Answer 17

(a) B’s ball, first-and-10 on A37. Illegal touch and recovery by Team A. The penalty can be assessed from the dead ball spot because the recovery by Team A was not legal, so Team B is awarded possession at that spot.
(b) B’s ball, first-and-10 on the 50. Decline the foul for kickoff out of bounds.
(c) B’s ball, first-and-10 on A16. The five-yard penalty for illegal touching can be enforced from the dead ball spot, provided Team B has possession at that spot.

Question 18

ONSIDE KICK—ILLEGAL TOUCH BY A—LEGAL RECOVERY BY A
On an onside kick attempt from the A35, A1 illegally touches the ball at the A44, and A2 then recovers at the A46.

Answer 18

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on A44. Since A2’s recovery at the A46 is a legal recovery, there is no option to enforce the five-yard penalty from the dead ball spot. Team B’s only options are for a re-kick after a five-yard penalty, or to take the ball at the illegal touch spot.

Question 19

ONSIDE KICK—MULTIPLE TEAM A FOULS
On an onside kick from the A35, Kicker A1 kicks the ball directly into the air. B1 is in position to catch the kick at the A44, but A2 interferes with the ball or B1. The ball then
(a) goes out of bounds at the A46, last touched by A2;
(b) is recovered by B2 at the 50;
(c) goes to the A46 where it is recovered by A2; or
(d) goes to the A42 where it is recovered by A2.

Answer 19

Rulings:
(a), (b), and (c) B’s ball first-and-10 on A29. Interference with the opportunity to catch a kick. B can cross his restraining line in an effort to catch the kick. A2 committed interference with the opportunity to catch a kick when he interfered with the ball or B1.
(d) B’s ball first-and-10 on A27. Interference with the opportunity to catch a kick. The ball belongs to Team B at the A42 because it did not reach the A45 and Team B did not touch the ball before recovery, so the penalty can be enforced from that spot.

Question 20

ONSIDE KICK INTO GROUND—FAIR CATCH SIGNAL—RECOVERY BY TEAM A
On an onside kick from the A35, the ball is kicked down into the ground and bounces high into the air coming down at the A47 where B1 gives a fair catch signal. A1 blocks him out of the way before the ball arrives, and A2 catches the ball there.

Answer 20

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-10 on A47. Since the ball was kicked into the ground, Team B is not permitted to signal for a fair catch, and they do not have the right to an unhindered opportunity to catch the kick. Team A is allowed to block after 10 yards, because the ball hit the ground, and they are allowed to push or pull an opponent in an attempt to recover a ball which they may legally recover. Team A would decline the option to enforce a five-yard penalty from the spot of the illegal signal (B’s ball) and would take possession at the spot where the kick was recovered.

Question 21

ONSIDE KICK—KICKING TEAM PLAYER CATCHES KICK
Team A tries an onside kick from the A35 which goes directly into the air and is caught by A2 at the A47: (a) No Team B player was near the ball; or
(b) B2 could have caught ball.

Answer 21

Rulings:
(a) A’s ball, first-and-10 on A47. Legal catch and recovery.
(b) B’s ball, first-and-10 on A32. Interference with the opportunity to catch a kick. No time would run off the game clock in either (a) or (b) (10-1-1).

Question 22

ONSIDE KICK—AIRBORNE CONTROL BY TEAM A—LANDS OUT OF BOUNDS
A1 attempts an onside kick from the A35. The ball bounces and goes into the air. As the ball is airborne near the sideline at the A46, A2 jumps up and controls the ball there. Before A2 comes to the ground, he is pushed out of bounds where he maintains control of the ball when he hits the ground. A2 would have landed inbounds.

Answer 22

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on A46. This is a kickoff out of bounds, because A2 did not complete the process of the catch inbounds. Team B would take the ball at the dead ball spot, as it is more beneficial than 25 yards from the spot of the kick.

Question 23

ONSIDE KICK—MULTIPLE FOULS BY TEAM A
On an onside kick into the ground from the A35, A1 blocks B1 high at the A44 while the ball is at the A42. The ball goes out of bounds untouched at the A48.

Answer 23

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on A38. Team B also has the option of a re-kick from the A25, but it would choose to enforce the illegal block foul from the dead ball spot. The block is illegal, because Team A blocked within the first 10 yards before the ball was legally touched.

Question 24

ONSIDE KICK—BALL BATTED BACKWARD BY TEAM B
On an onside kick from the A35, the ball rolls toward the sideline at the A44 where B1 bats the ball backward to the B46 where it glances off of A2’s leg, and it goes out of bounds at the B38.

Answer 24

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on B38. No foul for a kickoff out of bounds, since A2 is deemed not to have touched the ball. It is a legal bat because the ball was batted backward.

Question 25

ONSIDE KICK—TEAM A ILLEGAL FORMATION On an onside kick from the A35, A3 is moving his feet forward before the kick but is not offside. A4 then recovers the kick at the A47.

Answer 25

Ruling: Re-kick from A30, after the five-yard illegal formation penalty for A3 not keeping both feet on the ground from the time the kicker starts forward until the ball is kicked.

Question 26

ONSIDE KICK—LAST TOUCHED BY TEAM A BEFORE GOING OUT OF BOUNDS On a grounded onside kick from the A35, the ball is touched by B2 at the A43 and muffed to the A44 where A2 then muffs it causing the ball to go out of bounds at the B48.

Answer 26

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on B48. Team B would decline the foul for a kickoff out of bounds, unless the ball went out of bounds more than 25 yards from the spot of the kick.

Question 27

ONSIDE KICK OUT OF BOUNDS—LAST TOUCHED BY TEAM B On an onside kick from the A35, the ball rolls out of bounds at the B32 after first touching A1 at the A47 and then B1.

Answer 27

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on B32. The receiving team last touched the ball, and A1’s touch was legal, so it is not a foul for kickoff out of bounds and the ball belongs to Team B at the dead ball spot. This is not a foul for the kick going beyond the onside kick setup zone because it was touched inside the zone.

Question 28

ONSIDE KICK—DOUBLE AND MULTIPLE FOULS On an onside kick from the A35, the ball rolls to the A43 where A1 muffs it, and the ball rolls out of bounds at the A44. After A1 muffed the ball, and before it went out of bounds, B2 blocked A3 below the waist at the A42.

Answer 28

Ruling: Re-kick A35. Illegal touch and kickoff out of bounds by Team A; low block by Team B. It is not a 5 vs. 15 enforcement, because neither the illegal touch nor the kickoff out of bounds are simple five-yard penalties, and because there was a change of possession on the play.

Question 29

ONSIDE KICK—DOUBLE FOUL—KICKOFF OUT OF BOUNDS/CLIP On an onside kick from the A35, the ball goes out of bounds at the A48. B1 clips while the ball is rolling toward the sideline.

Answer 29

Ruling: Re-kick A35. The kickoff out of bounds and clipping offset. It is not a 5 vs.15 enforcement, as the result of the play is a change of possession, and because a kickoff out of bounds is not a simple five-yard penalty.

Question 30

ONSIDE KICK—LEGAL RECOVERY BY TEAM A—DOUBLE FOUL On an onside kick from the A35, A2 is offside. A1 recovers at the A47, and B1 tackles A1 by the facemask.

Answer 30

Ruling: Re-kick 50. Double foul (5 vs. 15) applies, as there was no change of possession. Enforce B’s foul from the previous spot and re-kick.

Question 31

ONSIDE KICK—DOUBLE FOUL—ILLEGAL TOUCH/LOW BLOCK On an onside kick from the A35, A1 is the first to touch the kick at the A42, and A2 then recovers the kick at the A46. During the kick, B1 blocks A3 below the waist at the A44.

Answer 31

Ruling: Re-kick at the A35. This is not a 5 vs. 15 enforcement, because the illegal touch is not a simple five-yard penalty.

Question 32

KICK INTO END ZONE—FUMBLED INTO FIELD OF PLAY On a kickoff from the A35, B1 catches the ball in the end zone and fumbles after he starts to run. The ball rolls out to the B4 where B2 falls on the ball. The game clock did not run on the play. There is: (a) 3:22; or (b) 1:55 left in the fourth quarter.

Answer 32

Rulings: (a) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B4. Game clock is set to 3:21. (b) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B35. After the two-minute warning, the ball returns to the spot of the fumble, since the ball was recovered by the non-fumbling player, which is a touchback. Because the kick first touched a Team B player in the end zone and became dead in the end zone, the touchback spot is the 35-yard line. Game clock is set to 1:54.

Question 33

KICK INTO END ZONE—LIVE BALL On a kickoff, the untouched ball hits in the end zone where: (a) B1 then muffs the ball, and it rolls out of bounds at the B2-yard line or (b) Team A recovers and downs it.

Answer 33

Rulings: (a) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B2. The kickoff or safety kick is a live ball when it hits in the end zone. Because Team B last touched it, they are responsible for it going out of bounds and will next snap at that spot. (b) Touchdown Team A. A kickoff or safety kick into the end zone is a live ball.

Question 34

KICK INTO END ZONE—BALL TOUCHED BY TEAM B—REBOUNDS OUT OF BOUNDS On a kickoff, B1 muffs the ball at the B4, and it rolls into the end zone and rebounds out of bounds at the B2.

Answer 34

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on B2. Because the ball did not become dead in the end zone after having been touched by B2 in the landing zone, this is not a touchback and belongs to Team B at the out of bounds spot.

Question 35

KICK INTO END ZONE—TEAM B BATS THE BALL WHILE IN END ZONE Kickoff from the A35. B1 tries to catch the kick in his end zone but muffs it there. While the ball is still in the end zone, B1 bats it over the end line.

Answer 35

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on B25, or re-kick from A45. It is not a safety, as the foul occurred during the kick. The ball was first touched in the end zone, so the touchback spot is the 35-yard line. Fouls committed by the receiving team at or during a kickoff or safety kick are enforced from the previous spot (re-kick) or the dead ball spot as long as the receiving team did not lose possession during the down.

Question 36

KICKOFF—PERSONAL FOUL BY TEAM A PRIOR TO POSSESSION BY TEAM B On a kickoff from the A35, the kick bounces at the B15 yard-line and rolls through the back of the end zone. After the kick hit the ground at the B15 and while the ball was loose, A2 grabs and pulls the facemask of B3.

Answer 36

Ruling: Re-kick from A20, or B’s ball, first-and-10 on B35. The touchback spot for this kick that hit in the landing zone and was dead in the end zone is the B20 yard-line. The 15-yard penalty by the kicking team can be added to that spot or enforced from the previous spot.

Question 37

KICKOFF —FOUL BY EITHER TEAM IN TEAM B END ZONE DURING KICK On A1’s kickoff from the A35, B1 muffs the kick at the B10, and the ball rolls into the end zone. In the scramble for the loose ball: (a) A2 holds B2; or (b) B2 holds A2, to allow a teammate to recover the ball. The ball is recovered and downed by B3 in the end zone.

Answer 37

Rulings: (a) Re-kick A25, or B’s ball, first-and-10 on B30. Fouls by the kicking team during the kick are enforced from the previous spot (re-kick) or the dead ball spot as long as B does not lose possession during the down. (b) Re-kick A45, or B’s ball, first-and-10 on B10. Fouls committed by the receiving team at or during a kickoff or safety kick are enforced from the previous spot (re-kick) or the dead ball spot as long as the receiving team did not lose possession during the down. Note: Fouls by either team during the kick are penalized as offensive fouls. Because this kick was touched by the receiving team in the landing zone and became dead in the end zone, the touchback spot is the B20.

Question 38

BLOCKING BY TEAM A ON ONSIDE KICK On an onside kick from the A35, after the ball has been kicked, A2 blocks B2: (a) at the A43 while the ball is rolling at the A46; (b) at the A47 after B2 muffs the ball at the A46; (c) at the A46 while the ball is rolling on the ground (untouched) at the A48; or (d) at the B48 while the kick is untouched in the air. The kick is recovered and downed by B4 at the B45.

Answer 38

Rulings: (a) B’s ball, first-and-10 on A45. Illegal block by A2 that is enforced from the dead ball spot (the end of the kick in this case), or the previous spot for a re-kick. It is illegal for Team A to block in the first 10 yards, (between Team A’s and Team B’s restraining lines), until the ball is legally touched. (b) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B45. Legal block. Team A may legally block between 10 and 15 yards beyond Team A’s restraining line, after the ball has touched the ground or been legally touched. (c) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B45. Legal block. Team A may legally block between 10 and 15 yards beyond Team A’s restraining line, after the ball has touched the ground or been legally touched. (d) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B45. Legal block. Team A may legally block more than 5 yards beyond Team B’s restraining line, (15 yards beyond Team A’s restraining line), anytime, regardless of whether the ball has touched the ground or been legally touched. Note: The location of the ball is irrelevant in determining the legality of blocking on onside kicks. The key is the location of the block, and whether the ball has touched the ground or been legally touched.

Question 39

BLOCKING BY TEAM B ON ONSIDE KICK On an onside kick from the A35, after the ball has been kicked: (a) B2 blocks A2 at the A48 while the ball is in the air; (b) B2 moves forward beyond Team B’s restraining line to the A43 but does not block A2 until the ball touches the ground at the A43 or A46; (c) B2 blocks A2 at the A46 after the pooch kick is touched by B1 at the A44 or A46; or (d) B2 blocks A2 at the B48 while the kick is untouched in the air. The kick is recovered and downed by B4 at the B45.

Answer 39

Rulings: (a) Re-kick A45. It is illegal for Team B to block in the first 15 yards from Team A’s restraining line until the ball has touched the ground or been legally touched. (b) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B45. Legal block. Team B can legally block anywhere after the ball has touched the ground or been legally touched. (c) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B45. Legal block. Team B can legally block anywhere after the ball has touched the ground or been legally touched. (d) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B45. Team B can legally block more than 5 yards beyond Team B’s restraining line, (15 yards beyond Team A’s restraining line), anytime, regardless of whether the ball has touched the ground or been legally touched. Note: The location of the ball is irrelevant in determining the legality of blocking on onside kicks. The key is the location of the block, and whether the ball has touched the ground or been legally touched.

Question 40

KICKOFF—TEAM B DOUBLE TEAM BLOCK On a kickoff from the A35, B3 is one of nine players in the setup zone. After the kick is caught by B1, B3 double team blocks (a) A2 at the B28, with teammate B4 who was also lined up in the setup zone, or (b) A2 at the B20, with teammate B5 who originally lined up as one of two players positioned outside of the setup zone. B1 returns the kick to the B35.

Answer 40

Rulings: (a) B’s ball, first-and-10 on the B35. No foul for 2 players blocking an opponent together who were both originally in the setup zone. They may double team block an opponent together, anywhere on the field, though they may not form a wedge. (b) B’s ball, first-and-10 on the B10. It is a foul for an illegal double team block if 2 or more players of the receiving team block an opponent together if they weren’t both originally in the setup zone. The 15-yard penalty is enforced as a foul on a running play in this case, as it happened during the return. If it happened during the kick, it would be enforced from the spot of the foul. This is a personal foul. Note: As described, (a) is a legal double team block, and (b) is an illegal double team block. In either case, had the two players come together, shoulder to shoulder, within two yards of each other, and moved forward together (with or without contacting an opponent), it would be an illegal wedge. Enforcement is the same, but an illegal wedge is prohibited by any two Team B players, while an illegal double team block is prohibited if one of the two players did not start in the setup zone.

Question 41

DELAY OF KICKOFF The Back Judge hands the ball to the kicker for a kickoff at the A35 and winds the 25-second play clock. The kicker does not begin to move towards the ball before the play clock hits zero.

Answer 41

Ruling: Kickoff A30. Delay of kickoff. Note: If the kicker has started toward the ball before the play clock hits :00, delay of kickoff should not be called.

Question 42

TWELVE MEN ON THE FIELD AT THE TIME OF READY FOR PLAY SIGNAL Team A lines up for a kickoff from the A35. The Back Judge starts the play clock, and officials then discover that Team A has 12 men lined up for the kickoff.

Answer 42

Ruling: Kickoff A30. Too many men in the formation. If either team has more than 11 men in the formation with the play clock running, the officials should blow their whistles immediately and not allow the kick.

Question 43

ONSIDE KICK—DOUBLE FOUL WITH A CHANGE OF POSSESSION On a grounded onside kick from the A35, A1 blocks B1 at the A43 while the ball is at the A44. B2 then recovers the ball at the A43 and returns it to the A20. During the return, B3 blocks A3 below the waist at the A30.

Answer 43

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on A45, or Team B can choose to replay the down. This is a double foul with a change of possession. A1’s block is illegal because it occurred in the first 10 yards, and the ball had not been legally touched. The location of the ball when the block occurs is irrelevant.

Question 44

ONSIDE KICK—KICKER GOES OUT OF BOUNDS—TEAM A RECOVERY On an onside kick from the A35, A2 touches the ball at the A46, and A2 then recovers the ball at the A44. A2 had stepped on the sideline at the A40 and then reestablished inbounds before touching the ball.

Answer 44

Ruling: Re-kick A30. On free kicks, a member of the kicking team who has been out of bounds cannot touch the kick until the ball has been touched by a member of the receiving team. The illegal touching foul cannot be enforced from the dead ball spot, because Team A is in legal possession at the end of the down. The foul for illegal touching must be enforced from the previous spot. If A2 had stepped out of bounds to avoid a block, it would also be a foul for voluntarily going out of bounds.

Question 45

KICKING TEAM ILLEGAL FORMATION—KICK OUT OF BOUNDS OR NOT REACHING LANDING ZONE On a kickoff from the A35, A5 moves his feet while the ball is in the air. The untouched kick goes out of bounds or hits the ground short of the landing zone at the B32.

Answer 45

Ruling: Re-kick A30 for the illegal formation, or B’s ball, first-and-10 on B40 for the kickoff out of bounds or not reaching the landing zone. Note: The five-yard penalty for illegal formation cannot be added on from the B40, because only one of the fouls, (kickoff out of bounds/not reaching landing zone, or illegal formation), can be enforced. It could be enforced from the out of bounds spot or the spot it hit short of the landing zone (B32), but the kickoff out of bounds/not reaching landing zone enforcement is more beneficial.

Question 46

KICKOFF—DOUBLE FOUL AFTER CHANGE OF POSSESSION A1’s kickoff from the A35 is caught by B1 at: (a) the B2; or (b) in B’s end zone. B1 returns the ball to the B45 where A1 tackles him by the facemask. During the return, B2 held A5 at the B30.

Answer 46

Rulings: (a) and (b) B’s ball, first-and-10 on the B30. This is a double foul after a change of possession. The fouls offset at the spot Team B’s foul would be enforced if it were the only foul on the play. In this case, that is the spot of B’s foul or the dead ball spot, whichever is least advantageous for Team B.

Question 47

KICKOFF—BATTED BY TEAM B INTO TEAM A PLAYER AND BALL GOES OUT OF BOUNDS A1’s kickoff is muffed by B1 at the B18 and is bouncing near the sideline at the B25, B1 dives to recover the ball and bats it backward into A2 where it bounces off his leg and goes out of bounds at the B22.

Answer 47

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and 10 B22. This is a legal bat by B1, since it was backward, and A2 is deemed not to have touched the ball, since it was batted into him. It is therefore not a “kickoff out of bounds last touched by Team A.”

Question 48

ONSIDE KICK—TEAM B PLAYER ENTERS SETUP ZONE BEFORE KICK On an onside kick from the A35, Team B has nine players in the setup zone and player B3 is on the B39, just outside the setup zone. Just before the ball is kicked, B3 steps on the B40-yard line. B1 recovers the onside kick at the A46.

Answer 48

Ruling: A’s ball, re-kick from the A40. Illegal formation for Team B having more than nine players in the setup zone at the time of the kick.

Question 49

ONSIDE KICK—ILLEGAL FORMATION BY TEAM A On A’s kickoff from the A35, Team A has five players to the right of the kicker and five players to the left, all legally set. As the kicker approaches the ball, the wind blows the ball off the tee. Team A brings A1, the widest man, from outside the yard-line numbers in to be the holder. This leaves Team A with just one player outside the yard-line numbers on that side. The kick is recovered B4 at the A47.

Answer 49

Ruling: B’s ball, first-and-10 on A42 or re-kick A30. Illegal formation. Even though the holder counts toward either side for the purpose of five on each side, Team A must still have two players outside the yard-line numbers and two players, (other than the holder), between the inbounds line and the yard-line numbers.

Question 50

KICKOFF—LEGAL/ILLEGAL FORMATION BY TEAM A As the kicker approaches the ball on a kickoff from the A35, kicking team player A2 is lined up with his (a) hand on the B40 yard-line, in a three-point stance; or (b) foot on the B40 yard-line in a two-point stance. The ball is kicked through the end zone.

Answer 50

Rulings: (a) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B40 or re-kick A30. Illegal formation by Team A. Team A players, other than the kicker, must be lined up with their front foot on the kicking team’s restraining line, and both feet must remain on the ground from the time the kicker begins his approach to the ball and until the ball touches the ground or a player in the landing zone or end zone. (b) B’s ball, first-and-10 on B35. Legal formation.

Question 51

KICKOFF—BLOCK IN BACK BY TEAM A On a kickoff or safety kick, the ball hits the ground in front of return man B7 at the B10, where he picks it up and runs it to the 50. A2 pushes B3 in the back (a) at the B17 as he scrambles for the ball after it has hit the ground; or (b) at the B20 while B7 is running with the ball.

Answer 51

Rulings: (a) B’s ball, first-and-10 on 50. There is no foul for a block in the back when a player is making a personal attempt to recover a loose ball, he is eligible to touch or recover. (b) B’s ball, first-and-10 on 50. There is no foul for the kicking team blocking in the back during the return, as they are now the defense.

Question 52

ONSIDE KICK – KICKER GOES OUT OF BOUNDS TO AVOID BLOCK On an onside kick from the A35, the ball bounces into the ground and then high into the air toward the sideline. B2 steps forward to block A7 near the sideline at the A43, to allow B4 to attempt to catch the kick behind him. A7 goes around B2’s block by stepping on the sideline at the A43 and re-establishing inbounds at the A45. B4 muffs the kick and A7 recovers the ball at the A46.

Answer 52

Ruling: Re-kick A30. A kicking team player may not go out of bounds to avoid a block until the ball is touched by the receiving team or the kick ends. This is a foul on a free kick, and a five-yard penalty. There is no option to enforce the penalty from the dead ball spot because A is in legal possession at the end of the down. There is no foul for A7 touching the ball after being out of bounds because it was touched by B before the recovery. If B had recovered, the yardage could be enforced from the dead ball spot.

Question 53

ONSIDE KICK — USE OF DECOY KICKER On an onside kick from the A35, Team A lines up in a legal formation with six players to the left side of the ball and five on the right, all with their front foot on the A35. The two players nearest the ball are bunched close so it is not clear which one is the kicker. The inside man on the left side (the sixth player on that side) begins approaching the ball as if he is going to kick it. Instead, he runs past the ball and lines up stationary on the right side at the A35. Another player from the right side then begins his approach and kicks the ball into the ground. At the time the second player began his approach to the ball, there are 5 players stationary, each with their front foot on the 35-yard line, on each side of the ball. The kick is recovered by A4 at the A47.

Answer 53

Ruling: A’s ball, first-and-10 on A47. When the “kicker” started moving forward to kick the ball, the other ten Team A Players were legally set on the 35-yard line. The “decoy” player was not the “kicker,” and the formation must be legal when the actual kicker begins his approach to the ball.