BASIC RULES KICKING GAME RULES

Click here for.....A list of the major rule differences between college and professional.

2-14-2 The definition of a scrimmage kick formation has been clarified to indicated at least one player, seven yards or more behind the neutral zone, must be in position to receive the log snap and no player may be in position to receive a hand to hand snap from between the snapper's legs.
6-1-8  Free kicks going out of bounds are a foul if untouched by the receiving team.
1-3-1 ART 5 b  The top of the crossbar shall be 10 feet above ground, measured from the base of each upright to the top of the crossbar at the intersection, or at each end of the crossbar perpendicular to the ground when a single pedestal is used.
1-3-1 ART 5 c  The crossbar shall be 23 feet, 4inches long
1-3-1 ART 5 e  The uprights shall extend a minimum of 10 feet above the crossbar.
1-3-2 ART 4     A kicking tee made of pliable material which elevates the lowest point of the ball no more than 2 inches above the ground may be used.
SECTION 5 CLIPPING (There are many chances for a special teams unit to clip....this is why I added this section)
2-4-1 ART 1 a  Clipping is charging or falling into the back or across the back of the leg(s) of an opponent who is not a runner or pretending to be a runner.
                      b  Such cases shall not be ruled clipping unless the official sees the initial contact.  When in doubt, or the opponent turns his back, or the block is from the side, it is not clipping if the opponent was able to see the blocker.
SECTION 9 FAIR CATCH
2-7-1 ART 1     A fair catch is a catch by a receiver of a free kick in or beyond the neutral zone to the receiver's goal line, or of a scrimmage kick beyond the neutral zone to the receiver's goal line, after a valid signal, under conditions in which the receiver forfeits his right advance the ball in return for protection from being blocked or tackled by an opponent.
          ART 2     An awarded fair catch occurs when the offended team chooses to take the ball at the spot of the kick-catching interference rather than accepting the distance penalty from the previous spot and replaying the down.
          ART 3     A valid fair catch signal is the extending and lateral waving of tone arm, at full arm's length abouve the head, by any member of the receiving team.
          ART 4    An invalid fair catch signal is any signal by a receiver before the kick is caught or recovered:
                            a. That does not meet the requirements of a valid signal
                            b. After the kick has touched a receiver
                            c. After the kick ahs touched the ground
           ART 5    An illegal fair catch signal is an signal by a runner:
                            a. After the kick has been caught.
                            b. After the kick has been recovered
SECTION 12
2-12    ART 1   During a free kick it is first touching if the ball is touched by any kicker before it crosses R's free-kick line and before it is touched there by any R-player
            ART 2    During a scrimmage kick it is first touching if the ball is touched by any kicker in the field of play and beyond the neutral zone expanded before it is touched there by R and before the ball has come to rest.

SECTION 23
            ART 1-ART 9  A kick is the intentional striking of the ball with the knee, lower leg or foot.
                                      A kick ends when a player gains possession or when the ball becomes dead.  
                                      A free kick is any legal kick which puts the ball in play to start a free kick down.  After the ready for play signal and before the kick, each player other than the kicker and holder for a place kick must be  behind his free kick line. A free kick is used for a kickoff, for a kick following a safety, and is used if a free kick is chosen following a fair catch or awarded fair catch.  
                                       A scrimmage kick is any legal kick from in or behind the neutral zone.  Either a place kick, punt, or drop kick may be used.  For a place kick, the ball must be controlled on the ground or on a kicking tee by a teammate.
                                       A kickoff is a free kick which puts the ball in play at the beginning of each half of the game, after a successful field goal and after any try.  A place kick or a drop kick shall be used for the kickoff.
                                       A drop kick is a legal kick by a player who drops the ball and kicks it when it touches the ground or as it is rising fro the ground.  A drop kick may be used for  a scrimmage kick, a kickoff, a free kick following a safety or for a free kick following a fair catch or awarded fair catch.  a place kick is a legal kick made while the ball is in a fixed position on the ground or on a kicking tee.  No material or device may be placed on the round to improve the kickers footing.  The ball also may be held in position on the ground or on a kicking tee by a place kick holder who shall be a a teammate of the kicker.  A place kick may be used for a scrimmage kick, a kickoff, a free kick following a safety or for a free kick following a fair catch or awarded fair catch.
                                       A punt is a legal kick by a player who drops the ball and kicks it before it ahs touched the ground.  A punt may be used for a free kick following a safety or for scrimmage kick.  An illegal kick is any intentional striking of the ball with the knew, lower leg or  footb1ll which does not comply with Article 3 and 4.  When the ball is loose following a illegal kick, it is treated as a fumble.

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