2 situations

[mikesears]

Originally posted by cowbyfan1
2 situations that happened.

1. Punt that goes up high and short but over the ENZ. An R player points at the ball and then drops his hand. No waving just a point straight up and then hand right back down. Would you flag for an illegal fair catch signal??

First, this wouldn't be an illegal signal. It might be an invalid signal.

Difficult to say if it would draw a flag or not without seeing it. Personally, I would be less inclined to throw the flag if this is done by an R player who is nowhere near the vicinity of the spot where the ball will land.

2. Offense in non-scrimmage kick formation. Snap direct to running back who takes a 3 steps and punts the ball. He gets tackled by the defense right after he kicks the ball and the ball is not touched at all. Is this roughing the kicker or does he have to be in scrimmage kick formation to get that protection? I say he does get it per rule 9-4-5.

He does not have to be in scrimmage kick formation to get the protection. The only person afforded protection because of a scrimmage kick formation is the snapper.

Once a kicker puts his foot to the ball, he is protected. Once it was apparent he was kicking the ball, the defense is restricted. It is truly a judgment call.