PAT Kicks

[Tom Cook]

I'd like to here some input on an idea that has been creeping up on me this year.
I've personally, this year seen four instances where there was defensive encroachment before a PAT kick. Dead ball foul, half the distance and run the play. Twice, the kick went through the uprights on the first try and didn't count, then was missed on the second try. It seems to me that the defence, in these cases benefitted from committing a foul.
I think that I'd like to see defensive encroachment on a PAT become a live-ball foul. Then, the offence could take the point if successful, and go to the kick-off. The flag would still be thrown and if the scoring team wanted to take the penalty and go for two, they could.
What do you guys think??

[dhoney]

sounds like you are talking about nfhs rules. it is a dead ball once either team breaks the NZ after the ball is ready for play. i think it is a bad idea to make exceptions like this. i would be all for changing the rule to be more like the college rule but exceptions only confuse things. in your examples, the kicker is simply kicking a dead ball.

[Tom Cook]

Yes this is Fed. rules. Actually, I would be for changing to the college rule. Also, you are probably right, we have enough exceptions to rules. The Jr Hi coaches would never be able to remember another exception.

[Middleman]

Actually, this can be a two-edged sword. I have seen two cases this year where a false start allowed the offense to take a second crack at what appeared to be a missed PAT.

The game rules can't be perfect, and justice is not necessarily an objective. The Dead-ball foul is straightforward and simple. That's what the NFHS wants.

[Ed Hickland]

Think of it this way.

If you allowed the play to continue after the defensive player has encroached, you place the holder and the kicker in harm's way. Even the NFL instituted the "unabated path" exception to protect the quarterback in that situation by creating a dead ball foul.

The mission of NFHS is safety. That is why there is encroachment and not offside in NFHS.