Australian Football????

[The Ref of OZ!!!]

I posted this question first on the "General" board, and got very little in reply....

How can an offensive team advance the ball by kicking it??? Is this a rule left over from earlier years?

Check out page 11 of the 2004 NFHS Football Rules. Section 1 "The Game", Art. 2... says, "While the ball is live, an interval called a down is in progress and the team in possession attempts to advance the ball by carrying, kicking or passing it." How can they advance the ball by kicking it???

Sounds an awful lot like Australian Football rules!!!!

[Bob M.]

REPLY: I believe that the intent of the statement is to indicate that when K kicks the ball (hopefully toward his opponents goal line!) he is in fact "advancing" it. Yes, he's almost always giving up possession, but he is gaining field position. Just my thoughts...

[North Pole Alaska Ref]

Behind the line?