Free Kick

[mikesears]

Originally Posted by MJT

The NFL has the same rule as NF, but no tee allowed. It must be held on the ground like a field goal, but the rest of how it works is the same. Had one last year at the end of the half from 67 yards which was a couple of feet wide right, but had the distance. Took a while to explain how it would work to the teams and opposing coaches.

Just to be clear with our answers, the NCAA does NOT allow a free kick following a fair catch while NFHS and NFL rules do allow it.

Under NFL rules I don't think the kicking team can gain possession of the kick. I've never seen one attempted. I heard about one at an NFL game and almost saw one attempted during a game this year but the receiving team fouled and the kick wasn't attempted.

[cougar729]

It is also important to note that the free kick lines are always 10 yards apart... possibly even into the end zone.

I might have opened pandora box with that one

[johnnybgood]

Originally Posted by cougar729

It is also important to note that the free kick lines are always 10 yards apart... possibly even into the end zone.

I might have opened pandora box with that one

So, last night if the ravens added a few more unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and the patriots were kicking off from the ravens 5 (they actually kicked from their 35), does that mean that, assuming the ravens do not touch the ball, that the patriots must allow the kick to travel five yards into the end zone before they can legally recover it?

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by cougar729

It is also important to note that the free kick lines are always 10 yards apart... possibly even into the end zone.

I might have opened pandora box with that one

It's been decades since I looked at this, but when I did, between NCAA & Fed, one always had R's restraining line 10 yards away, but the other had it as the goal line if closer.

Either way, it seems that in Fed if you want to protect a lead with seconds remaining and your opponent kicking off, you could keep incurring penalties until legal recovery by K of the kickoff was impossible. K could decline the penalties. Hmmm...seems an impasse could be achieved by R's repeatedly committing dead ball fouls that prevent the kickoff. So they'd be ahead forever but the game would never end.

Robert

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

...Either way, it seems that in Fed if you want to protect a lead with seconds remaining and your opponent kicking off, you could keep incurring penalties until legal recovery by K of the kickoff was impossible. K could decline the penalties. Hmmm...seems an impasse could be achieved by R's repeatedly committing dead ball fouls that prevent the kickoff. So they'd be ahead forever but the game would never end.

Robert

REPLY: Except that the Fed also has a rule which permits the R to forfeit the game if a team repeatedly commits fouls which halve the distance to the goal.