[TXMike]

Originally Posted by ajmc

"Here's that actual definition of a SKF: "A scrimmage kick formation is a formation with at least one player seven yards or more behind the neutral zone, no player in position to receive a hand-to-hand snap from between the snapper’s legs, and it is obvious that a kick may be attempted."

Bob, I believe the problem here is that the rule's wording is, intentionally or not, ambiguous. Using the phrase "a kick may be attempted" is the problem. "SHALL be attempted", "WILL be attempted", or even "MUST be attempted", would have closed the glaring loophole use of the word "MAY" opened up.

Whether or not, that was the intent is irrelevant. What is written, and subsequently approved and codified, is the rule, and unfortunately the choice of words used in the written rule created a loophole. Loophole's can be either intentional, or accidental, but in either case they provide an alternative direction that may, or may not have been anticipated, and once discovered remain open until they are specifically closed.

You left out a HUGE part of the definition ..."obvious" If a team lines up in a shotgun formation on 3d down and the "QB" is 7 or more yards deep, is the defense gong to send a DB back downfield to field the "maybe" punt?? Heck no They are not because in that situation it is NOT obvious the kick may be attempted therefore you cannot have a SKF, therefore you cannot have the numbering excpetion, therefore the A-11 is ILLEGAL under NCAA rules.