Roughing or Running Into Kicker or Holder
ARTICLE 3. a. When it is obvious that a scrimmage kick will be made, no
opponent shall run into or rough the kicker or the holder of a place kick
(A.R. 5-2-2-I and A.R. 9-1-3-I, III and VI).
1. Roughing is a personal foul that endangers the kicker or holder.
2. Running into the kicker or holder is a foul that occurs when the
kicker or holder is displaced from his kicking or holding position but
is not roughed (A.R. 9-1-3-II).
3. Incidental contact with a kicker or holder is not a foul.
4. The kicker and holder must be protected from injury, but contact
that occurs when or after a scrimmage kick has been touched is not
roughing or running into the kicker or holder.
5. The kicker of a scrimmage kick loses protection as a kicker when he
has had a reasonable time to regain his balance (A.R. 9-1-3-IV).
6. A defensive player legally blocked into the kicker or holder by a
member of the kicking team is not exempt from fouls for running into
or roughing the kicker or holder. A defensive player illegally blocked
into the kicker or holder by a member of the kicking team is exempt
from fouls for running into or roughing the kicker or holder.
7. When a player, other than one who blocks a scrimmage kick, runs
into or roughs the kicker or holder, it is a foul.
8. When in question whether the foul is “running into’’ or “roughing,’’
the foul is “roughing.’’
PENALTY—Five yards from the previous spot for running into the
kicker or holder [S30]. Fifteen yards from the previous spot
and a first down for roughing the kicker or holder if the first down is not in conflict with other rules [S38 and S30].
Flagrant offenders shall be disqualified [S47].
b. A kicker or holder simulating being roughed or run into by a defensive
player commits an unsportsmanlike act (A.R. 9-1-3-V).
PENALTY—15 yards from the previous spot [S27].
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 yards from the previous spot [S40].
SECTION 15. Kicks
Legal and Illegal Kicks
ARTICLE 1. Kicking the ball is intentionally striking the ball with the knee,
lower leg or foot.
When in question, a ball is accidentally touched rather than intentionally
kicked.
a. A legal kick is a punt, drop kick or place kick made according to the
rules by a player of Team A before a change of team possession. Kicking
the ball in any other manner is illegal (A.R. 6-1-2-I).
b. Any free kick or scrimmage kick continues to be a kick until it is caught
or recovered by a player or becomes dead.
Punt
ARTICLE 2. A punt is a kick by a player who drops the ball and kicks it
before it strikes the ground.
Drop Kick
ARTICLE 3. A drop kick is a kick by a player who drops the ball and kicks
it as it touches the ground.
Place Kick
ARTICLE 4. a. A field goal place kick is a kick by a player of the team in
possession while the ball is controlled on the ground by a teammate.
b. A free kick place kick is a kick by a player of the team in possession
while the ball is positioned on a tee or the ground. It may be controlled
by a teammate. The ball may be positioned on the ground and contacting
the tee.
c. A tee is a device that elevates the ball for kicking purposes. It may not
elevate the ball’s lowest point more than one inch above the ground
(A.R. 2-15-4-I).
Free Kick
ARTICLE 5. A free kick is a kick by a player of the team in possession made
under restrictions specified in Rules 4-1-4, 6-1-1 and 6-1-2.
Kickoff
ARTICLE 6. A kickoff is a free kick that starts each half and follows each
try or field goal (Exception: Extra periods). It must be a place kick or a
drop kick.
Scrimmage Kick
ARTICLE 7. A scrimmage kick made in or behind the neutral zone is a legal
kick by Team A during a scrimmage down before team possession changes.
A scrimmage kick has crossed the neutral zone when it touches the ground,
a player, an official or anything beyond the neutral zone (Exception: Rule
6-3-1-b) (A.R. 6-3-1-I-V).
Return Kick
ARTICLE 8. A return kick is a kick by a player of the team in possession
after change of team possession during a down and is an illegal kick. It is a
live-ball foul, and the ball becomes dead.
Field Goal Attempt
ARTICLE 9. A field goal attempt is any place kick or drop kick from
scrimmage.
Scrimmage Kick Formation
ARTICLE 10. A scrimmage kick formation is a formation with at least one
player seven yards or more behind the neutral zone, no player in position
to receive a hand-to-hand snap from between the snapper’s legs, and it is
obvious that a kick may be attempted (A.R. 1-4-2-I and A.R. 9-1-2-XXIIXXIV).