Discussion Question on new kick enforcement option

[Reffing Rev.]

The score is K-17 & R-14 with :10 remaining in the game. 4th & 26 at K’s 4 yard line. K1 punts from deep in his own end zone. K2 grabs and restricts an opponent in the end zone before the ball is kicked. R1 catches the kick at K’s 45 yard line and returns it to K’s 25 yard line as time expires during the down.
a. Holding – K’s ball 4th & 28 @ K’s 2 yard line. 1 Untimed down.
b. Holding – Safety – 1 Untimed down for the free kick.
c. Holding – Safety – Game is over
d. Holding – R’s ball – 1st & 10 at K’s 15 yard line. 1 Untimed down.
e. Holding – R’s ball – 1st & 10 at K’s 15 yard line. Game Over.

[SC Official]

D

[ilyazhito]

D. All the requirements are met (legal kick play, penalty on K, R in possession at the end of the down), so the tack-on provision can be used. R 1/10 from the K-15, one untimed down (If I was B, I might expect a field goal to tie the game, assuming no timeouts remain).

[bob jenkins]

This non-official asks: Why isn't the answer "B"? Holding, in the end-zone, before the kick. Am I incorrectly applying some similar rules from some other codes?

[SC Official]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

This non-official asks: Why isn't the answer "B"? Holding, in the end-zone, before the kick. Am I incorrectly applying some similar rules from some other codes?

The FED made a rule change this past offseason that allows R to "tack on" fouls committed by K during a kick down.

Also, (B) is inaccurate because the fact that the enforcement for the foul results in a safety means there will be no untimed down. (C) is an accurate option but given R is down by 3 obviously they don't want that.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by SC Official

The FED made a rule change this past offseason that allows R to "tack on" fouls committed by K during a kick down.

Also, (B) is inaccurate because the fact that the enforcement for the foul results in a safety means there will be no untimed down. (C) is an accurate option but given R is down by 3 obviously they don't want that.

So ... Team B *could* choose the safety, but then they'd lose the game. So, they *choose* to have the penalty applied at the end of the run so as to have a chance to win. Earlier in the game (and especially if the kick weren't returned so far), Team B might choose the safety.

Thanks,