Back in October there was a play posted on this discussion board regarding an illegal kick by A from their own endzone. I'll quote the original post as it was written and then summarize the replies.
PLAY:
"4th and 15 at A's 2-yardline. A is lined up in scrimmage kick (punt) formation. The snap is low and A2 muffs the snap. The ball is on the ground when A2 kicks the ball from the A's endzone out of bounds at A's 19-yardline. Using the Fed. rule book, what do we have? A penalty or is it just B's ball at the 19 yardline."
Based on the replies to this play, the concensus was that accepting the penalty would result in a safety by A and they would then freekick from their own 20. Or B could decline the penalty for illegal kicking and take the ball at the 19-yardline.
I believe the responses for this particular penalty have only been correct in so far as penalty acceptance is concerned. I believe we are mistaken as to the effects of declining the penalty for illegal kicking. I don't have my rule book with me, but if I remember correctly there is a rule that says when a ball is loose following an illegal kick, it is treated as a fumble. This means that if B declines the penalty for illegal kicking, then the results of the play stand. The results of the play are that a fumble (a loose ball after an illegal kick in this case) went out of bounds. When a fumble goes out of bounds the team last in possession retains possession at the out of bounds spot. This would mean that it is A's ball at the 19-yardline. Since it was 4th and 15 from the 2, the ball now belongs to A at the 19 which is beyond the line to gain, therefore 1st and 10 for A at the 19. B would obviously accept the penalty resulting in a safety and have A freekick from the 20 yardline.
I could be mistaken but I believe this is the correct ruling. If not, let me hear about it.
|