Had a kid kick a 54 yarder the other night, no tail wind. What's the longest field goal you've seen kicked in a varsity game?

Been at this for 2 years now and the next made one I see will be the first.

And speaking of field goals, has anyone seen a field goal after a fair catch or an awarded fair catch??

I have seen one. NFHS rules...

I think the NFL still has this rule. I believe that the Bears used it to beat the Packers in the early 60's.

Fourth year here, have never seen a free-kick field goal attempt following a fair catch.

Last night, had a JV game. Kid went 3-for-3, including a 47-yarder as time expired in 1st half. And it probably would have been good from 55. I repeat, a JV game.

Trying to think if I have ever had a made FG at any level prior to last night, can't remember any right now.

I was on the field when a 52 or 53 yarder was made last season. Our LJ thought we were kidding when we told him the block was coming out.

Had a kid kick a 62 or 64 yarder last year in a game. He attempted a 67 in a game a few weeks later I was in; missed it wide left. He had a 67 yarder negated by a penalty later on in the year. He has a great leg, but not as accurate as a coach would like. I believe he is a punter/kicker for FSU now.

A coach elected to put the ball into play with a free kick in a state championship game here a couple years ago.

I was back judge last year in a varsity game and A was about 40 yds out on 4th down and I went back for the punt and was totally surprised by a FG attempt. It was far short, but it took me by surprise. I think I was at the goal line when it was kicked. We didn't have a chance of getting 2 guys to the uprights in time.

Wow.

Wonder why there are so many fewer field goals in FED than here in Texas. I know of 1 team that kicks ALL of its extra points and has tried several field goals - and this is 7-8 year old peewee! Almost all teams are kicking field goals by 7th or at the least 8th grade around here.

Longest I've seen attempted was a 54 yarder - it had the distance, but was a shade wide. Longest I've seen made in person was right at 50 - JV team. There's a 9th grade girl that makes them consistently in the low 40's, but I haven't seen her try a longer one.

NFL does have the rule and I had my 1st ever this year in a semi-pro game with NFL rules. 72 yarder which was only 2 yards short.

I had a team try a field goal at the end of a half after a fair catch. You have to help the teams line up because they have no clue!

REPLY: Alright, no cheating allowed. How do Federation mechanics call for a 5-man crew of officials to line up in such a case?

Hey you...I said no cheating!

The U and R are under the bars, every one else as in a regular kickoff. How'd I do?

I had one several years ago. Had the same problem as JDLJ lining up the teams. The crew had a mini conference before we went to positions (not something I cover in pre-game - did it correctly Bob M.).

R's coach called time out twice requesting a conference! He never did understand it. He kept asking ... "And we can't rush the kicker?"

They missed the kick by the way. The TO's probably iced the kicker!

You are kidding, right?

By the book, he is correct! R and U under the uprights and all others in normal positions for a kick off.

Makes sense to me, why would you put R on a kick or recieving team restraining line? He won't know what to do there. He probably doesn't have a beanbag or knows how to use it. :D

I don't think he was kidding... from the 2004 and 2005 Football Officials Manual ...5 officials mechanics...NFHS

FIELD-GOAL ATTEMPT BY FREE-KICK
AFTER A FAIR CATCH OR AWARDED FAIR CATCH

I. Positions
a. Referee behind upright
b. Umpire behind upright
c. Both officials determine whether kick is successful.
II. ALL OTHER OFFICIALS MECHANICS SAME AS KICKOFF

Since the R and U are closest to the receiver's goalline it makes sense that they would be under the uprights. I've got this one memorized. I don't want to screw it up in case it ever happens.

[Edited by schwinn on Oct 5th, 2005 at 10:33 PM]

BJ, LJ and LM in their normal Free Kick positions with the R and U under the goal posts.

REPLY: Just remember that, depending on where the kick is executed, someone needs to have responsibility for the goal line to determine if the kick crosses the plane and becomes a TB and remains in play. That would be the HL.

Another thing...don't forget that this is still a free kick and the ball can be recovered and retained by K after it has met regular free kick requirements (10 yards, touch ground or R player).

Sorry, temporary blackout. My mind was thinking regular FG (scrimmage kick) attempt.

Thanks to the Gods of Football Officiating in here for getting me back on track.

In the situation with five officials, certainly.

When you only have four officials, one for each restraining line and two for the uprights leave the goal line unguarded. D'oh.

Somehow, though, I don't think this is the most compelling argument for five officials on the field.

4-man mechanics specifies just the Referee under the bar....
everyone else has the same free kick responsibilities.