First Touching of a Scrimmage Kick

Here is a Ray Lutz “Forward Progress” post from October 18, 2007 (Edited and amplified for clarity)

Word came this morning from Iowa where last weekend K punted. R did not field the punt, electing to let it roll. When the ball came to rest, K66 touched the ball and ran off to the sideline. R33 picked up the ball and scampered 65 yards for the game-winning touchdown. The officials ruled K66’s touch to be first touching and R33’s return to be legal.

Rule 4 SECTION 2 DEAD BALL AND END OF THE DOWN

ART. 2 . . . The ball becomes dead and the down is ended:

f. When the kickers catch or recover any free kick anywhere, and when the kickers catch or recover a scrimmage kick beyond the neutral zone and when the kickers are first (i.e., before any touching by the receivers) to touch a scrimmage kick after it has come to rest beyond the neutral zone and between the goal lines.

Rule 6 SECTION 2 SCRIMMAGE KICKS

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.” (Emphasis added)

By rule when K is the first to touch a scrimmage kick at rest, the ball becomes dead and the touching is NOT “first touching.”

Parting Shots: Great dead ball officiating involves active eyes and rubber necks!

Quiz

Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer.

During B30’s run following an interception, A30 blocks B70 below the waist. B30 scores and spikes the ball.

The penalties will offset, replay the down
Team B must decline the penalty for A30’s foul to keep the score
Team B must enforce the penalty for A30’s foul on the try
Team B will make the first penalty enforcement choice followed by Team A

Review Rules 8-2-3, 9-5-2a, 10-2-5a

Click below to reveal the Quiz answer and accompanying explanations.

Show answer

Answer: D

A dead-ball foul is not coupled with a live-ball foul to create a double foul (10-2-5a).

If an opponent of the scoring team commits a foul during a down in which a touchdown is scored and there was a change of possession during the down, and such foul occurs after the change of possession,
the scoring team may accept the results of the play and choose enforcement of the penalty on the try or the subsequent kickoff (8-2-3).

Team B will decide first if they want to enforce the penalty for A30’s foul from the A-3 (try) or the K-40 (subsequent kickoff). Then Team A will decide if they want to enforce the penalty for B30’s unsportsmanlike conduct on the try or the subsequent kickoff.

If both teams select the try for penalty enforcement, Team A will attempt the try from the A-16-1/2 (half the distance to the goal, followed by 15-yards backward from the succeeding spot).

If both teams select the subsequent kickoff, the back judge should signal A30’s foul, walk off the yardage to the R-45, then signal B30’s foul, and walk off the yardage back to the K-40.

First Touching of a Scrimmage Kick

Quiz

Be in the Correct Position to Rule on a “Photo Finish”

“The Credit Belongs to the Man [or Woman] who is Actually in the Arena”

How officiating high school football is like working in a successful restaurant