Quote:
Originally posted by Zeke5
R 25 is stradling the sideline when he is first to touch
a free kick. Is this a penalty on K? or is it just R's ball
1st and 10 at that spot?
|
Zeke,
It could be either! (Federation rules, 4-3-1, 6-1-8)
If the ball crossed the sideline plane in flight, it will be a foul by K for kicking the ball out of bounds. R has a choice of putting the ball in play at the inbounds spot, or 25 yards beyond the previous spot, or having K rekick after a 5-yard stepoff from the previous spot.
If the ball DID NOT cross the plane of the sideline, it was the touching by R that caused the kick to become dead out of bounds, and R will put the ball in play at the inbounds spot.
The covering official must position himself on the sideline to make the determination whether the ball crossed the plane of the sideline or not.
My 1999 comic book shows this clearly on page 43 (sorry, I can't find 2000, haven't got 2001 yet). The rule changed slightly in 2000, making it a foul on K only if the kick went out of bounds "untouched by R," as opposed to "not last touched by R," but that change does not affect the above ruling answering your question.
Season's comin' up!