Free Kick Question

[PiggSkin]

Originally posted by Warrenkicker
I agree with you so I will be devil's advocate here. What about after a safety and the team punts for the free-kick. Is that ball put into play at the exact spot designated when the ready-for-play was blown?

I really don't see a problem moving the ball a couple of inches but Kansas doesn't want things that way so I won't let them move it. [/B]

It's an analogy, so there will be some holes in it... However, the book does say that the punt must be kicked from within one step behind K's free kick line... So that seems to acknowledge a little bit of imprecision as to where exactly the ball will be when it is kicked...

I realize this isn't very precise language, but it's enough to allow me to rationalize the analogy...

I guess the next question is how far to the left or right do you allow the punter of the free kick to stray from the "designated spot"..? (Not that anyone's really going to be in good position to rule on that...)

[MNMRI]

rule 6-2 NF STATES once the ball is marker ready for play it is illegal procedure to move the ball after it is in its designated position....

[Smiley]

Originally posted by MNMRI
rule 6-2 NF STATES once the ball is marker ready for play it is illegal procedure to move the ball after it is in its designated position....

Rule 6-2 is Scrimmage Kicks. Which article are you referring to?

[Warrenkicker]

Originally posted by Smiley

Rule 6-2 is Scrimmage Kicks. Which article are you referring to?

I think he meant 6-1-2.

[Theisey]

Maybe this will put your play to rest.
This is from NF's rules interpretation for 2001. Nothing has changed since then to rule any differenly. The situation is #15.

SITUATION 15: After the ready signal on a free kick, K is in a huddle and all 11 players race toward the ball, which is lying on the ground or on a tee. Ten K players then break off toward the sidelines without crossing their freekick line while kicker K1 picks the ball up off the ground and/or adjusts it to an upright position on the tee. RULING: This is not a dead-ball, free-kick infraction. The designated spot has not changed. The kicker/holder may adjust the ball as needed. However, the ball must be kicked within the allotted 25 seconds following the ready-for-play signal.

[Warrenkicker]

Originally posted by Theisey
Maybe this will put your play to rest.
This is from NF's rules interpretation for 2001. Nothing has changed since then to rule any differenly. The situation is #15.

SITUATION 15: After the ready signal on a free kick, K is in a huddle and all 11 players race toward the ball, which is lying on the ground or on a tee. Ten K players then break off toward the sidelines without crossing their freekick line while kicker K1 picks the ball up off the ground and/or adjusts it to an upright position on the tee. RULING: This is not a dead-ball, free-kick infraction. The designated spot has not changed. The kicker/holder may adjust the ball as needed. However, the ball must be kicked within the allotted 25 seconds following the ready-for-play signal.

Is this something you have printed out or do you have a web site location of it? This is the exact play that a team in my area runs. Another coach has complained and got the state to rule in his favor. I would like to forward this situation to the state and get their final ruling on this play.

[Theisey]

It was on the NF site in 2001. All I have is hard copy. If you want I can scan and send it to you.
Alternatively, you could contact the NF. I would hope this stuff would be stashed away in some archive folder.

[Warrenkicker]

Thanks. I may try to see if my state guy can get that from NF. He is one of the guys in the front of the rules book with a picture. He should know the right person to talk to.