we had a discussion at association meeting the other night...
Play..
K1 is in scrimmage-kick formation, ball is snapped R1 rushes kicker from left side, R2 rushes kicker from right side.
R1 barely tips/blocks kick - not enough to really adversely affect kick, but does get a hand on ball as it leaves kicker's foot - R1 misses kicker - K1 is just finishing his kicking motion
R2 a step or two behind R1 lays out K1 while K1's kicking leg is still coming down to the ground, K1 has not yet regained his balance.
One side said - no foul, the tipped/touched ball takes off any roughing the kicker, the tip made K1 fair game.
Other side said - tipped ball does not make K1 fair game. R2 must still avoid contact. Since R2 did not and probably could have avoided contact draws yellow rain, for roughing the kicker, 15-yards automatic first down.
Any opinions, and rule references, welcomed.
My opinion, I'm with other side.