Case Rule 6

Rule 6 Kicking the Ball and Fair Catch – With Case Plays

 

  SECTION 1 THE KICKOFF AND OTHER FREE KICKS  

ART. 1 . . . For any free kick, a free-kick line, corresponding to a scrimmage line, is established for each team. These lines are always 10 yards apart. Unless moved by a penalty, K’s free-kick line is:

  1. Its 40-yard line for a kickoff.
  2. Its 20-yard line after a safety.
  3. The yard line through the spot of the catch after a fair catch.
  4. The yard line through the spot of an awarded fair catch.

ART. 2 . . . A free kick shall be made from any point between the hash marks and on K’s free-kick line. A punt may not be used for a free kick other than after a safety. Once designated, K must kick from that spot. When a punt is used following a safety, the ball must be kicked within one step behind K’s free-kick line. In an emergency, such as a pool of water on K’s free-kick line, the referee has authority to move the ball to a playable line, in which case, both free-kick lines are moved to compensate.

ART. 3 . . . After the ball is marked ready for play, and until the ball is kicked, the following formation requirements must be met:

  1. No player, other than the kicker and the holder for a place kick, may be beyond his free-kick line; and
  2. No K players, other than the kicker, may be more than 5 yards behind the kicking team’s free-kick line. A player satisfies this rule when no foot is on or beyond the line 5 yards behind K’s free-kick line. If one K player is more than 5 yards behind this restraining line and any other player kicks the ball, it is a foul.
 FREE-KICK FORMATIONS 

6.1.3 SITUATION A: After the ready for play and prior to the ball being kicked, Team K has five players to the left of the kicker and five players to the right of the kicker with the ball spotted at the K40. The potential kicker, K1, is lined up at the K32 to begin his kick and all other K players are clearly outside of the K35. As K1 approaches the kick, he suddenly slows down and K2 then kicks an onside kick that is recovered by R1. RULING: Team K has committed a free kick infraction and the ball shall be blown dead immediately. R is given the option to accept the distance penalty of 5 yards for the dead-ball foul.

6.1.3 SITUATION B: After the ready for play and prior to the ball being kicked, Team K has five players to the left of the kicker and five players to the right of the kicker with the ball spotted at the K40. Prior to the ball being kicked, player K2: (a) has both feet just beyond the K35 (toward midfield); (b) has a foot touching the K35; (c) has one foot touching beyond the K35 toward the K36 and one foot behind the K35; or (d) K has both feet clearly beyond the K35 (toward midfield) but his hand is touching behind the K35 (toward K’s goal line). RULING: Legal in (a) and (d). Free kick infraction in (b) and (c).

ART. 4 . . . At the time the ball is kicked, at least four K players must be on each side of the kicker.

 FREE-KICK FORMATIONS 

6.1.4 SITUATION: After the ready for play and as the ball is being kicked, Team K has three players to the left of the kicker and seven players to the right of the kicker. RULING: It is a free kick infraction by K. The ball shall be blown dead immediately and R given the option to accept the distance penalty of 5 yards for the dead-ball foul. COMMENT: Communication between the game officials and both teams is critical and the referee should ensure that all opportunities for assembling in a proper formation have been given before sounding the ready-for-play signal.

ART. 5 . . . Any receiver may catch or recover a free kick in the field of play and advance, unless any R player has given a valid or invalid fair-catch signal. R may catch or recover a free kick in K’s end zone.

ART. 6 . . . If any K player recovers or catches a free kick, the ball becomes dead. It belongs to him unless it is kick-catching interference and R chooses an awarded fair catch or unless it is first touching. Any K player may recover the ball before it goes beyond R’s free-kick line if it is touched first by any receiver. Such touching in the neutral zone by R is ignored if it is caused by K pushing or blocking R into contact with the ball or if K muffs the ball into contact with R. Any K player may recover a free kick if it has both touched the ground and goes beyond the plane of R’s free-kick line. The two requirements may occur in any order. If a free kick becomes dead inbounds between the goal lines while no player is in possession, or inbounds anywhere while opponents are in joint possession, the ball is awarded to R.

 RECOVERY BY K 

6.1.6 SITUATION A: A kickoff by K1 from K’s 40 is muffed by R1 near his 20- yard line. The muff is caught by K2 at the 18 and he advances into R’s end zone. RULING: It will be K’s ball first and 10 from R’s 18. K2 may catch or recover the muffed kick, but may not advance. The ball is dead when K gains possession. The covering official should sound his whistle to stop play immediately when the ball becomes dead.

6.1.6 SITUATION B: K’s free kick is bouncing on the ground in the neutral zone where R1 and K1 are engaged in blocking one another. K2 muffs the ball and the ball touches R1 on the leg and K3 recovers the ball. RULING: The touching by R is ignored and R will be awarded possession of the ball at the spot of first touching or at the dead-ball spot.

ART. 7 . . . If any K player touches a free kick before it crosses R’s free-kick line and before it is touched there by any R player, it is referred to as “first touching of the kick.” R may take the ball at the spot of first touching, or any spot if there is more than one spot of first touching, or they may choose to have the ball put in play as determined by the action which follows first touching. Such touching is ignored if it is caused by R pushing or blocking K into contact with the ball. The right of R to take the ball at the spot of first touching by K is canceled if R touches the kick and thereafter during the down commits a foul or if the penalty is accepted for any foul committed during the down.

 FIRST TOUCHING OF A FREE KICK 

6.1.7 SITUATION A: A free kick from K’s 40 is high and comes down over K’s 45 where it is muffed in flight by K2 after which it is recovered by K3 on R’s 40. RUL- ING: This is first touching and also kick-catching interference by K2. R may choose to take the ball at the spot of first touching, take the results of the play or accept the 15-yard penalty for kick-catching interference. If the distance penalty is accepted, it is R’s choice to have the penalty enforced from the spot of the foul or to have it enforced from the previous spot and require K to rekick. COMMENT: The game clock will not be started when there is first touching of a free kick. The purpose is to prevent the kickers from taking advantage by touching the ball to start the game clock and thereby deny the receivers the opportunity of putting the ball in play. The exception “the game clock not starting with first touching,” is protection for the receiving team and is consistent with the philosophy that the receiving team be given an opportunity of putting the ball in play following a free kick. (3-4-1, 6-5-4, 6-5-6)

6.1.7 SITUATION B: The ball is free kicked from K’s 40-yard line and in flight, it crosses the 50-yard line before a strong wind blows it back to K’s 45 where it: (a) is touched in flight by K1, or (b) touches the ground and is recovered by K2. RULING: Kick-catching interference in (a), first and 10 for K in (b). COMMENT: The free-kick lines marking the neutral zone for K and R are vertical planes. When the free kick penetrates R’s free-kick line in flight, it is considered to have gone the required 10 yards. If it also has touched the ground, before or after going 10 yards, it can be recovered, but not advanced by K. (6-1-6)

ART. 8 . . . A free kick is not repeated unless:

  1. A foul occurs prior to a change of possession and the penalty acceptance requires a replay of the down.
  2. There is a double foul.
  3. There is an inadvertent whistle during the kick.

ART. 9 . . . A free kick shall not be kicked out of bounds between the goal lines untouched inbounds by R. If it is kicked out of bounds and R does not accept a penalty for kick-catch interference on the same kick as in 6-5-4, R has the following choices:

  1. Accept a 5-yard penalty from the previous spot and have K rekick;
  2. Accept a 5-yard penalty from the succeeding spot;
  3. Put the ball in play at the inbounds spot 25 yards beyond the previous spot; or
  4. Decline the penalty and put the ball in play at the inbounds spot.
 CAUSING FREE KICK TO BE OUT OF BOUNDS 

6.1.9 SITUATION A: The free kick by K1 is possessed by R1 who: (a) is airborne and alights with one foot in contact with the sideline at his 26, or (b) contacts the sideline on the 26 after completing the catch. RULING: In (a) and (b), R will put the ball in play, first and 10, from its 26-yard line because R1 caused the ball to go out of bounds at the 26. (2-4-1)

6.1.9 SITUATION B: The free kick by K1 from K’s 40-yard line: (a) is touched by R1 at R’s 5-yard line and goes out of bounds at the 8-yard line; or (b) is muffed by R1 at his 15-yard line and then touched by K2 before it rolls out of bounds at R’s 10-yard line; or (c) bounces out of bounds on R’s 30-yard line untouched by R or K. RULING: In (a) and (b), the ball belongs to R at the inbounds spot. In (c), it is a foul by K. The receivers may accept the 5-yard penalty and have K free kick from K’s 35-yard line, accept a 5-yard penalty from the succeeding spot, take the ball at the inbounds spot at R’s 35 which is 25 yards beyond the previous spot, or take the ball at the inbounds spot. (2-41-4, 6-1-10)

6.1.9 SITUATION C: R1 is running near a sideline as he attempts to catch a free kick in flight. R1 has: (a) both feet inbounds; or (b) one foot on the sideline, when he reaches through the plane of the sideline. The ball bounces off his hands and lands out of bounds. RULING: In (a), the ball is not yet out of bounds until it hit the ground there. Since R1 touched it, he caused it to go out of bounds and R will have the ball at the inbounds spot. In (b), since R1 is out of bounds when the ball is touched, the kicker has caused the ball to be out of bounds.

6.1.9 SITUATION D: K1 tries an onside kick from K’s 40-yard line. As the ball bounces near the sideline, the ball is muffed out-of-bounds by K2 at R’s 49. RULING: R may accept the 5-yard penalty and have K free kick from K’s 35-yard line, accept a 5-yard penalty from the succeeding spot, take the ball at the inbounds spot at R’s 35 which is 25 yards beyond the previous spot, or take the ball at the inbounds spot.

6.1.9 SITUATION E: K1 squib kicks the kickoff to R’s 30 where (a) R muffs the ball out-of-bounds at R’s 28, (b) R muffs the ball toward the side lines where K2 muffs the ball out-of-bounds at R’s 28. RULING: In both (a) and (b), R would put the ball in play at R’s 28.

6.1.9 SITUATION F: K1 tries an onside kick from K’s 40. K2 muffs the ball at K’s 48, and the ball bounces off R and is muffed out of bounds by K3 at R’s 45. K did not force the ball into R. RULING: R can either choose to take the ball at K’s 48 at the spot of first touching or at R’s 45 where the ball went out of bounds.

6.1.9 SITUATION G: Team K free kicks from its own 40-yard line. K1’s onside kick is rolling at R’s 46-yard line, when K2 muffs the ball, causing it to touch R3’s leg and goes out of bounds at R’s 42-yard line. RULING: Since R’s touching is now ignored, this is a free kick that went out of bounds. R may accept the 5-yard penalty and have K free kick from K’s 35-yard line, accept a 5-yard penalty from the succeeding spot, take the ball at the inbounds spot at R’s 35 which is 25 yards beyond the previous spot, take the ball at the inbounds spot. (10-5-1a)

6.1.9 SITUATION H: Team K, after accepting the penalties for multiple R fouls, is now free kicking from R’s 20-yard line. In attempting to onside kick, the ball goes out of bounds untouched in the field of play. RULING: R may accept the 5-yard penalty and have K free kick from R’s 25-yard line, accept a 5-yard penalty from the succeeding spot or take the ball at the inbounds spot.

6.1.9 SITUATION I: K’s attempt for a field goal is unsuccessful and (a) the ball enters the end zone where it is declared dead; or (b) the ball is fielded by R at the R 5-yard line and returned to the 25-yard line. During the kick, K commits a holding foul. RULING: In (a), while R has other options by rule, R will likely accept the distance penalty enforced from R’s 20-yard line. In (b), while R has other options by rule, R will likely accept the distance penalty enforced from R’s 25-yard line. (6-1-9, 10-4-2c EXCEPTION) 

ART. 10 . . . If a free kick goes out of bounds between the goal lines touched inbounds by R, the ball is put in play by R at the inbounds spot.

ART. 11 . . . A pop-up kick is illegal.

 POP-UP KICK 

6.1.11 SITUATION: K1 executes a pop-up kick from the K40 in a free-kick situation. RULING: The play is immediately blown dead, K is penalized five-yards for a free-kick infraction and, if the distance penalty is accepted, must re-kick from the K35. If the distance penalty is declined, K shall re-kick from the K40.

PENALTY:
Arts. 2, 11 – Free-kick infraction – (S7-19) – 5 yards;
Art. 3a – encroachment – (S7-18) – 5 yards;
Arts. 3b, 4 – free kick infraction – (S7-19) – 5 yards;
Art. 9 – free kick out of bounds – (S19) – 5 yards and re-kick, 5 yards from the succeeding spot, or put it in play at the inbounds spot 25 yards beyond the previous spot if previous spot on midfield side of R25.

  SECTION 2 SCRIMMAGE KICKS  

 TOUCHING AND RECOVERING SCRIMMAGE KICKS 

6.2 SITUATION: R returns K’s scrimmage kick for a touchdown and (a) during the kick, K commits a holding foul, or (b) during the runback, K commits a foul for blocking below the waist. RULING: In (a), the succeeding spot from this play is the goal line (touchdown). Therefore R may accept the distance penalty enforced on the try or decline the penalty. In either case, the touchdown will score; however, since the foul occurred before the change of possession, there is no option to enforce the distance penalty from the succeeding kickoff. In (b), because the foul occurred on a play in which a touchdown was scored after the change in possession, R can count the touchdown and have the penalty enforced on the try or on the succeeding kickoff per 8-2-3. (6-1-9, 8-2-3)

ART. 1 . . . K may punt, drop kick or place kick from in or behind the neutral zone before team possession has changed. It is not necessary to be in a scrimmage kick formation to execute a legal scrimmage kick. K may not punt, drop kick or place kick from beyond the neutral zone. R may not punt, drop kick or place kick.

ART. 2 . . . Any receiver may catch or recover a scrimmage kick in the field of play and advance, unless it is during a try, or unless any R player has given a valid or invalid fair-catch signal. R may catch or recover a scrimmage kick in K’s end zone.

ART. 3 . . . Any K player may catch or recover a scrimmage kick while it is in or behind the neutral zone and advance, unless it is during a try.

 TOUCHING AND RECOVERING SCRIMMAGE KICKS 

6.2.3 SITUATION A: A scrimmage kick by K1 is partially blocked in the neutral zone by R1. The kick goes beyond the neutral zone where R2 muffs it back behind the neutral zone. K2 recovers behind the neutral zone and advances across R’s goal line. RULING: Touchdown for K. COMMENT: The right of the kickers to advance their recovered scrimmage kick depends entirely upon whether the kick is recovered in, behind or beyond the neutral zone. Whether the kick went beyond the neutral zone and then rebounded behind it is of no consequence. The spot of recovery is the only factor. If the recovery is in or behind the neutral zone, K may advance. If the recovery is beyond the neutral zone, K may recover, but may not advance.

6.2.3 SITUATION B: With third and 10 on K’s 10-yard line, K1’s punt is blocked and recovered on K’s 4-yard line: (a) simultaneously by K2 and R1, or (b) by K2 who advances to K’s 15. RULING: In (a), the ball is dead immediately and is awarded to R because of the joint recovery. In (b), since K may recover in or behind the neutral zone and advance, it is fourth and 5 for K from its own 15-yard line. The series for K did not end because the kick was blocked. (4-2-2e)

ART. 4 . . . Any K player may catch or recover a scrimmage kick while it is beyond the neutral zone or the expanded neutral zone, provided such kick has been touched by a receiver who was clearly beyond the neutral zone at the time of touching. Such touching is ignored if it is caused by K pushing or blocking R into contact with the ball or it is caused by K legally batting or muffing the ball into R. Such catch or recovery by K beyond the neutral zone causes the ball to become dead. (6-5-6 EXCEPTION)

 TOUCHING AND RECOVERING SCRIMMAGE KICKS 

6.2.4 SITUATION: It is fourth and 10 and K11 punts the ball from K’s 40-yard line. While R1 and K1 are engaged in blocking downfield at R’s 30-yard line, K2 legally bats the ball at R’s 28-yard line and the batted ball touches R1 on the leg. Then, K3 recovers the ball at the 30-yard line. RULING: This touching by R is ignored and R will have the choice of taking the ball at the spot of first touching or the dead-ball spot.

ART. 5 . . . When any K player touches a scrimmage kick beyond the expanded neutral zone to R’s goal line before it is touched beyond the neutral zone by R and before the ball has come to rest, it is referred to as “first touching of the kick” and the place is the “spot of first touching.” Such touching is ignored if it is caused by R pushing or blocking K into contact with the ball. If any K player touches a scrimmage kick in this manner, R may take the ball at the spot of first touching, or any spot if there is more than one spot of first touching, or they may choose to have the ball put in play as determined by the action which follows first touching. The right of R to take the ball at spot of first touching by K is canceled if R touches the kick and thereafter during the down commits a foul or if the penalty is accepted for any foul committed during the down.

 TOUCHING AND RECOVERING SCRIMMAGE KICKS 

6.2.5 SITUATION A: K1 attempts to down a punt beyond the neutral zone, but his touching only slows it down. The bouncing ball is subsequently recovered by R1, who advances 25 yards but then fumbles and K2 recovers. K2 is immediately tackled. RULING: R may either take the results of the play or retain possession by taking the ball at the spot of K1’s first touching. R can exercise this option, unless after R1 touches the ball, R commits a foul or the penalty is accepted for any foul committed during the down.

6.2.5 SITUATION B: K2, running toward R’s end zone, leaps in the air to catch K1’s punt which is in flight. K2 has the ball in his grasp over the 1-yard line, but first touches the ground in R’s end zone. No player of R is in position to catch the punt. RULING: R can take the ball at the spot of first touching, his own 1-yard line, or take a touchback since K2 has not possessed the ball until he came to the ground in the end zone. (6-3-1)

6.2.5 SITUATION C: With fourth and 5 from K’s 30-yard line, K9 punts the ball downfield where it is grounded and touched by K88 (first touching) at R’s 30. The ball continues rolling and is picked up by R35 at R’s 25-yard line. R35 is subsequently hit and fumbles at R’s 28. The loose ball is recovered by K88 on the ground at R’s 26. During the kick, R55 is flagged for holding. RULING: If K accepts the penalty for R’s foul for holding, then it is enforced from the previous spot since post-scrimmage kick cannot apply as K is next to put the ball in play as a result of the recovered fumble. Also, if K accepts the penalty, the awarded spot for first touching is not applied. If K declines the penalty for R’s foul, R will take the ball at the spot of first touching. (2-12-1, 2-12-2, 2-16-2h) 

ART. 6 . . . The touching of a low scrimmage kick by any player is ignored if the touching is in or behind the expanded neutral zone. If a scrimmage kick occurs, the neutral zone shall not be expanded into the end zone.

 TOUCHING AND RECOVERING SCRIMMAGE KICKS 

6.2.6 SITUATION: What is the reason for having an expanded neutral zone during scrimmage kicks and how does it affect the touching of a low kick in that area? RULING: The purpose of expanding the neutral zone during a scrimmage kick is to permit normal line play. The neutral zone is expanded up to a maximum of 2 yards behind the defensive line of scrimmage (beyond the neutral zone) to allow offensive linemen to block and drive defensive linemen off the line of scrimmage. Low scrimmage kicks may touch or be touched by players of K or R, and such touching is ignored if the kick has not been beyond the expanded neutral zone. The zone disintegrates immediately when the kick has crossed the expanded zone or when the trajectory is such that it cannot be touched until it comes down. Once the zone disintegrates, touching of the kick by K in flight beyond the neutral zone is kick-catching interference if an R player is in position to catch the ball. If touched by R beyond the neutral zone, it establishes a new series. (2-28-2, 5-1-3f, 6-5-6)

ART. 7 . . . When any scrimmage kick is out of bounds between the goal lines or becomes dead inbounds between the goal lines while no player is in possession, or inbounds anywhere while opponents are in joint possession, the ball is awarded to R. Following an out-of-bounds kick, the ball is put in play at the inbounds spot unless R chooses a spot of first touching.

 SIMULTANEOUS RECOVERY 

6.2.7 SITUATION: Fourth and 3 for K from their own 10-yard line. A scrimmage kick by K1 is muffed in flight prior to being grounded beyond the neutral zone by R1 and rebounds back into K’s end zone where it is simultaneously recovered by opposing players. RULING: Touchdown for R. If K is in possession in K’s end zone at the end of the down, it is a safety. If R is in possession or if there is joint possession, it is a touchdown. The ball is awarded to R when any scrimmage kick is out of bounds between the goal lines, becomes dead inbounds between the goal lines while no player is in possession or becomes dead inbounds anywhere while opponents are in joint possession. Since the kick was muffed beyond the neutral zone and there has been no possession, it is still a kick into K’s own end zone. (4-2-2e, 8-2-1b)

PENALTY:
Art. 1 – Illegal kick – (S31) – 10 yards.

  SECTION 3 TOUCHBACK  

ART. 1 . . . It is a touchback if any free kick or scrimmage kick:

  1. Which is not a scoring attempt or which is a grounded three-point field-goal attempt, breaks the plane of R’s goal line, unless R chooses a spot of first touching by K.
  2. Which is a three-point field-goal attempt, in flight touches a K player in R’s end zone, or after breaking the plane of R’s goal line is unsuccessful.
 KICKS INTO R’S END ZONE – TOUCHBACK 

6.3.1 SITUATION A: A scrimmage kick by K1 comes to rest on R’s 6-yard line. R1 attempts to recover and advance, but muffs the ball so that it rolls into the end zone where: (a) R2 downs the ball; or (b) R3 recovers and advances out of the end zone; or (c) K2 recovers and downs the ball in the end zone. RULING: The ball became dead as soon as it broke the plane of R’s goal line. It is a touchback in (a), (b) and (c). The kick had not ended because muffing does not constitute possession, therefore, it is a kick into R’s end zone which is an automatic touch- back. The covering official should sound the whistle immediately when the ball becomes dead as a result of breaking the goal-line plane. Force is not a factor on kicks going into R’s end zone. R will put the ball in play, first and 10, from their 20-yard line. (2-24-2, 8-5-3a)

 BLOCKING KICK FROM CROSSBAR 

6.3.1 SITUATION B: During a field-goal attempt, R1, who is in the end zone, leaps up and blocks the ball away from the crossbar. RULING: Touchback. The touching by R1 in the end zone causes the ball to become dead, unless the ball caroms through the goal, thus scoring a field goal. This is not illegal batting, as the touching caused the kick to fail. [4-2-2d(2), 6-3-1b]

ART. 2 . . . If any free kick or scrimmage kick becomes dead in the kicker’s end zone while no player has possession, it is a safety or touchback, as in 8-5-2 and 3.

  SECTION 4 SUMMARY OF SCRIMMAGE KICK AND FREE-KICK ACTIVITIES  

TABLE 6-4
RESULT OF ACTIVITIES DURING SCRIMMAGE KICKS AND FREE KICKS

Scrimmage Kick Free Kick
1. Kick recovered beyond the neutral zone may be advanced only by R. 1. A kickoff, including the kick following a safety, cannot score a field goal.
2. Kick recovered in or behind the neutral zone may be advanced by either team. 2. Kick following a fair catch or awarded fair catch may score a field goal. 
3. Kick not recovered by either team belongs to R. 3. Kick may not be advanced by K.
4. Kick jointly recovered by R and K belongs to R. 4. Kick not recovered by either team belongs to R.
  5. Kick jointly recovered by R and K belongs to R.
NOTE: K is in team possession during a kick. A kick ends when a player gains possession or when the ball becomes dead by rule. R gains possession of the ball when a player of R catches or recovers the live ball. 
IF THE KICK BECOMES DEAD IN R’S END ZONE
Touchback in all cases unless a field goal is scored.
IF THE KICK BECOMES DEAD IN K’S END ZONE
If the force is: The the ruling is:
1. The kick or any other new force by K. 1. Safety, if the kick is out of bounds or K has possession, including when the ball is loose, or Touchdown if R is in possession.
2. A new force by R. 2. Touchback, if the kick is out of bounds, or K has possession, including when the ball is loose, or Touchdown if R is in possession.

  SECTION 5 FAIR CATCH  

ART. 1 . . . Any receiver may signal for a fair catch while any legal kick is in flight. Any receiver who has given a valid or invalid fair-catch signal is prohibited from blocking until the kick has ended.

 FAIR-CATCH SIGNAL DURING KICK 

6.5.1 SITUATION A: R1 and R2 both signal for a fair catch and: (a) the punt is short and is caught by R3; or (b) the punt is over the head of R1, and R2 blocks K1 who is attempting to down the ball near the goal line; or (c) R2 muffs the punt which is then muffed by K2 and finally recovered by R1. RULING: R3 did not make a fair catch in (a), but the ball became dead when it was caught. In (b), it is an illegal block because R2 blocked before the kick ended after giving a signal and the penalty, if accepted, will be administered from the post-scrimmage kick spot. In (c), the ball became dead as soon as R1 recovered. (4-2-2g, 6-5-5, 9-3-3)

6.5.1 SITUATION B: K1 attempts an onside kick from his own 40, but instead of causing the ball to strike the ground and bounce, he pops it up into the air. R1 signals for a fair catch while the kick is in flight and catches the ball: (a) before it crosses R’s free-kick line; or (b) after it has gone beyond R’s free-kick line. RULING: R1 has made a fair catch in both (a) and (b). A fair catch is permitted from in or beyond the neutral zone to R’s goal line during a free kick. (2-9-1) 

ART. 2 . . . It is a fair catch and the ball is dead if any receiver gives a valid fair-catch signal, as in Article 1, and he catches a free kick in or beyond the neutral zone to R’s goal line, or a scrimmage kick beyond the neutral zone to R’s goal line.

 FAIR-CATCH SIGNAL DURING KICK 

6.5.2 SITUATION A: During a scrimmage kick beyond the expanded neutral zone, R1 gives a fair-catch signal. He muffs the kick into the air, where: (a) R1 catches it 5 yards in advance of his muff; or (b) K2 pushes R1 in an attempt to reach the ball; or (c) K3 tackles R1 following the muff, preventing R1 from catching the kick; or (d) R1 is blocked below the waist by K4 and K5 recovers. RULING: In (a), R1 has made a fair catch and the ball will be put in play at the spot where the catch was completed. In (b), the contact on R1 by K2 is legal because K may retain possession following the muff by R1. In (c), it is a holding foul for K3 to tackle R1 following the muff, thus preventing him from reaching the ball. The block by K4 is illegal in (d). The fouls in (c) and (d) are fouls during a loose-ball play and the penalty, if accepted, will be administered from the previous spot and the down replayed. (2-3-5b, 6-2-4, 9-3-2) 

6.5.2 SITUATION B: K2’s punt is high and a strong wind blows it back toward the neutral zone. R1 gives a valid signal while he is beyond the neutral zone. How- ever, the ball comes down: (a) in, or (b) behind the neutral zone and K2 pushes R1 and then catches the kick and advances. RULING: Since K may catch or recover a scrimmage kick in or behind the neutral zone and advance, the action in (a) and (b) is legal. Since R may not fair catch in or behind the neutral zone, he may be legally contacted there.

ART. 3 . . . Only the receiver who gives a valid signal is afforded protection. If, after a receiver signals, the catch is made by a teammate, it is not a fair catch but the ball becomes dead.

 FAIR-CATCH SIGNAL DURING KICK 

6.5.3 SITUATION: R1 signals for a fair catch of a scrimmage kick by K1. Team- mate R2 catches the kick and is tackled immediately by K1 who did or did not have a chance to see the signal. The contact which was not a personal foul occurred before the covering official sounded his whistle. R2 fumbles when tackled and the ball is recovered by K2. RULING: The ball became dead when it was caught by R2. The contact by K1 was not a foul because R2 did not signal for a fair catch. R2 fumbled a dead ball and there could be no recovery by K2. COMMENT: Contacting a receiver who did not give a fair-catch signal or contacting a receiver who has given a signal but is contacted where he cannot make a fair catch, is not a foul unless the contact is judged by the game official to be a personal foul. The receiver is not afforded special protection in such situations. Members of the kicking team have the responsibility for knowing when the ball is dead. If a kicker could not have seen a fair-catch signal made by the teammate of the receiver, there is no foul. However, if he could have seen the signal, he does not have license to contact the receiver. (4-2-2g)

ART. 4 . . . The captain may choose to free kick or snap anywhere between the hash marks:

  1. on the yard line through the spot of the catch when a fair catch is made;
  2. through the spot of interference, when a fair catch is awarded; or
  3. at the succeeding spot when the distance penalty for kick-catch interference is accepted following an awarded fair catch and the down is not replayed.

     These choices remain if a dead-ball foul occurs prior to the next down, or a foul or an inadvertent whistle occurs during the next down and the down is replayed.

 CHOICE TO SNAP OR FREE KICK 

6.5.4 SITUATION: R1 signals for a fair catch beyond the neutral zone on K’s 40. K2 interferes with R1’s opportunity to make the catch. R chooses an awarded catch and to put the ball in play with a snap. During the next down: (a) A1 gains 15 yards and the coach of B is charged with an unsportsmanlike foul; or (b) B2 commits pass interference; or (c) an inadvertent whistle sounds during A1’s for- ward pass. RULING: In (a), the unsportsmanlike foul during the down does not give A another choice to snap or free kick. However in (b), A may snap or free kick following penalty enforcement. In (c), the down is replayed and A has the option to snap or free kick. (10-4-5a)

ART. 5 . . . No receiver may advance the ball after a valid or invalid fair-catch signal has been given by any R player.

ART. 6 . . . While any free kick is in flight in or beyond the neutral zone to the receiver’s goal line or any scrimmage kick is in flight beyond the neutral zone to the receiver’s goal line, K shall not:

  1. Touch the ball or R, unless blocked into the ball or R, or to ward off a blocker; or
  2. Obstruct R’s path to the ball.

     This prohibition applies even when no fair-catch signal is given, but it does not apply after a free kick has been touched by a receiver, or after a scrimmage kick has been touched by a receiver who was clearly beyond the neutral zone at the time of touching.
     EXCEPTION: K may catch, touch, muff or bat a scrimmage kick in flight beyond the neutral zone if no player of R is in position to catch the ball.

 KICK-CATCHING INTERFERENCE 

6.5.6 SITUATION A: K2’s punt is partially blocked by R1 in or behind the neutral zone and it then travels beyond the neutral zone. R2 is in position to catch the ball, but it first touches K2’s shoulder before hitting the ground where it is recovered by R2. RULING: Since R1’s touching is ignored, it is kick-catching interference by K2, because R2 was in position to catch the ball.

6.5.6 SITUATION B: K1’s punt is coming down over R’s 15-yard line and (a) R2 is in position to catch the ball, or (b) all R players have moved away from where the ball will land. In both (a) and (b), K3 catches the ball. RULING: In (a), it is kick-catching interference and R has the option to take the results of the play, or accept the 15-yard penalty for kick-catching interference. If the distance penalty is accepted, it is R’s choice to have the penalty enforced from the spot of the foul or to have it enforced from the previous spot and require K to rekick. In (b), the play is legal and the ball is dead as soon as K3 catches it. The spot of the catch is also a spot of first touching and R will put the ball in play on that yard line, first and 10.

6.5.6 SITUATION C: K5, running down field under a punt, has the kick strike him on his helmet: (a) R1 is in a position to catch the kick if he so chooses; or (b) no R player is in position to be able to get to the ball and catch it. RULING: In (a), K5 has committed kick-catching interference. In (b), there is no foul.

6.5.6 SITUATION D: K1’s punt is high but short. R2, from well down field, runs toward the ball to get in position to attempt to catch it. K2 is also moving toward the ball or just standing there when: (a) K2 is contacted by R2; or (b) K2 causes R2 to veer away from the ball but there is no contact by K2. The ball strikes the ground and is recovered by R3. RULING: K2 has committed kick-catching interference in both (a) and (b) since K2 did not provide R2 an unobstructed opportunity to catch the ball. R may choose to take the results of the play, or accept the 15-yard penalty for kick-catching interference. If the distance penalty is accepted, it is R’s choice to have the penalty enforced from the spot of the foul or to have it enforced from the previous spot and require K to replay the down.

6.5.6 SITUATION E: While K1’s punt is in flight beyond the neutral zone, R2 (a) gives a valid fair catch signal, or (b) does not give a signal. The ball strikes R2 on the shoulder and bounces high into the air. While the loose ball is still airborne, K4 pushes R2 in the chest and K4 catches the ball at that spot. RULING: In both cases, the ball is dead when K4 catches it. There is no foul for kick-catching interference since R2’s protection ended when the kick was touched.

ART. 7 . . . A receiver shall not give an invalid fair-catch signal.

 INVALID SIGNAL 

6.5.7 SITUATION A: Fourth and 5 for K on its own 9-yard line. K1’s punt is very high and very short, but it goes beyond the expanded neutral zone. R1 gives an invalid fair-catch signal at K’s 20-yard line and the untouched kick hits the ground and rebounds behind the neutral zone where K1 recovers and is downed at his own 10-yard line. RULING: This is a post-scrimmage kick foul and the ball belongs to R by rule. If K accepts the penalty for R’s foul, it will be R’s ball on K’s 25-yard line and first and 10, as the kick ended at K’s 10-yard line and the foul was behind the basic spot. (2-16-2h)

6.5.7 SITUATION B: During a scrimmage kick, R1 signals for a fair catch by: (a) extending and holding one arm above his head; or (b) partially extending and waving one hand in front of his face; or (c) fully extending and laterally waving both hands above his head or in front of the body without extending one hand at arm’s length above his head; or (d) extending and laterally waving one arm at full length above his head. RULING: The signals in (a), (b) and (c) are invalid. In (d), the signal is valid. Giving an invalid signal is a foul for which the penalty is enforced under the post-scrimmage kick provision. COMMENT: When a receiver shades his eyes during a legal kick, he must do so in a manner which is clearly not an invalid fair-catch signal. The responsibility of shading the eyes with a bent arm and not waving it is completely and entirely upon the receiver. (2-9-3, 2-41-6, 6-5-1, 6-5-6) 

ART. 8 . . . The runner shall not give an illegal fair-catch signal.

 ILLEGAL SIGNAL BY RUNNER 

6.5.8 SITUATION A: R1 catches K1’s punt and then quickly gives a fair-catch signal after advancing a couple of steps. RULING: An illegal fair-catch signal by R1. The spot of the illegal signal is the basic spot defined in Rule 10-4. (2-9-5, 10-4)

6.5.8 SITUATION B: R2 gives a fair-catch signal just after R1 begins to advance after catching a punt. RULING: No foul, as only the runner can give an illegal fair- catch signal. Opponents must continue to play and not be deceived by a player waving an arm after a kick-catching situation. (2-9-5)

PENALTY:
Art. 1 – Blocking after giving a valid or invalid signal – (S43) – 15 yards;
Art. 5 – delay of game – (S7-21) – 5 yards;
Art. 6 – kick-catching interference – (S33) – R may accept the results of the play, an awarded fair catch after enforcement of a 15-yard penalty from the spot of the foul, or a 15-yard penalty from the previous spot and a replay of the down;
Art. 7 – Invalid fair catch signal (S32) – 5 yards;
Art. 8 – Illegal fair catch signal (S32) – 5 yards.