|
REPLY: I agree with wisref...there's no real change to the rule. In the past, there were some misconceptions that a player who lined up as the punter was granted protection from the moment he began his kicking motion till after he regained his balance and could further participate in the play. As a result, if the kicker 'whiffed' and was then immediately hit, flags incorrectly flew. Likewise, there were occasions where a strong rush reached the punter before he could get the kick away. In the middle of his kicking motion--but before he actually kicked the ball--he would get creamed. Again, flags incorrectly dropped. This addition of the new text to the definition of kicker (NF 2-31-8) simply clarifies at what point a player becomes a kicker. It really doesn't change the rule--just reinforces what already existed.
__________________
Bob M.
|