Quote:
Originally posted by cowbyfan1
2. Offense in non-scrimmage kick formation. Snap direct to running back who takes a 3 steps and punts the ball. He gets tackled by the defense right after he kicks the ball and the ball is not touched at all. Is this roughing the kicker or does he have to be in scrimmage kick formation to get that protection? I say he does get it per rule 9-4-5.
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We've discussed this in our association because of a school that likes to have the punter receive the snap, pretend to be a passer, then quick kick the ball. The rule of thumb our WH's use is whether the kicker established himself as a kicker with sufficient notice to the defense. In the case with our kid, he lines up as a kicker, so is provided protection. The moment he pretend to be a passer, he loses that protection. However, if he decides to kick and begins the action of kicking early enough for the defense to react, he is protected. So in the case where he is under a heavy rush pretending to be a passer, then quick kicks, he has no protection.