Tripping by a kicker

[Ozofficial]

Can someone help me with an incident that occurred at a game last weekend?

Team A kicked off, and the kick returner for team B was tripped by team A's kicker.

Team A's kicker was flagged for a 15 yard penalty and ejected from the field.

It was definite trip, no more.

The matter is now going to a league tribunal and the kicker has been charged with assault that carries a minimum of a 6 game suspension.

I was under the impression that tripping the runner is legal under NCAA rules? Am I correct or were the officials correct to throw a flag, charge 15 yards and eject the player?

Your assistance is required ASAP!

[jaybird]

From your description, no foul.

[Theisey]

"Tripping" of a runner is NOT a foul under NCAA nor NFHS rules.

It might be a foul under NFL rules, but I'm drawing a blank at the moment on that rule code.

Here's your rule references:

RULE 9.1.2.b and c

b. No person subject to the rules shall strike an opponent with his foot or
any part of his leg that is below the knee.
c. There shall be no tripping (Exception: Against the runner).


So, did the player really TRIP the runner or did he swing his leg and strike the runner... There is a difference here.

[jjrye22]

Hi Ozofficial

I know we have had similar discussions here in Germany. Problem is that we use a translation of the rules and that comes into the discuossion as well. The attitude here is that generally you need to think of two separate actions.
Tripping is (according to the way they define it in German - I don't have the original text in English) the intentional use of the leg to block the runner - where the leg is planted on the ground. This would be allowed against a runner.
If the foot is not planted on the ground however, you might (probably) have one player kicking another wich would be a personal foul and might be an ejection. Doesn't matter if it is the runner or not.

That is how we are taught to look at it in Germany - but I don't know if that is the way it is taken in America.

James

[Jim D]

Tripping a runner is a ten yard penalty in the NFL.

[Doc-WI]

This can be a VERY fine line indeed.

I believe an easy way to differentiate the 2 acts is to ask yourself a question:
Did the leg meet the runner? or
Did the runner meet the leg?

Simply sticking your leg out and letting the runner trip over is is not a foul, but moving your leg into contact with the runner is very suspect.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Ozofficial

Can someone help me with an incident that occurred at a game last weekend?

Team A kicked off, and the kick returner for team B was tripped by team A's kicker.

In Canada, 10 yards from Point Ball Held [at time of foul].

Originally Posted by Ozofficial

The matter is now going to a league tribunal and the kicker has been charged with assault that carries a minimum of a 6 game suspension.

Charges for tripping someone? Wow....