[Rich]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

I agree that it's worded poorly - but the rule is obviously not meant to prohibit anything you just said. (My wording issue is that the final sentence says IS, and not was. Since it says IS, if the previously offending player is within 5 yards when it's kicked, it's not a foul --- but we all know they meant it to be. Should say "If one player other than the player who kicks the ball was, at the time the kicker began moving forward, more than five yards behind the restraining line, it is a foul.")

Yes ... and more than a tiny bit. Most players will not be at full speed when crossing the kicking line now.

Doesn't really matter now though, since every single kick is a touchback. It will affect onsides kicks, that's about it.

Not every single kick was a TB for us on Saturday. Lots of high kickoffs between the 15 and the goal line, actually.