Proper administration of a Free Kick after a safety

[U52]

I'm sure some of you have had this opportunity to officiate a game where the R has had the opportunity to Free Kick after a Safety. Would you please mention your administartion of this.

[wheels]

Not sure of your question, but K will kickoff from their 20 yard line. Ball is live once kick. treat it just like a kickoff to start the game.

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by wheels

...treat it just like a kickoff to start the game.

REPLY: ...and don't throw out the free kick rules just because the ball may be punted. They're still in force.

[U52]

Let me try again, If A was tackled in their own endzone and had to Free kick from their own 20 and R was to fair catch at the K35, they are allowed to Free Kick from the K35 again. What rules must be followed from this point?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by U52

Let me try again, If A was tackled in their own endzone and had to Free kick from their own 20 and R was to fair catch at the K35, they are allowed to Free Kick from the K35 again. What rules must be followed from this point?

The free kick rules.

[wheels]

OHHHH!!!!!!
R can fair catch the ball and request a free kick for a field goal. Now the new K will kick from the K's 35 and K will have to lineup on their 25.

[wisref2]

For a free kick after a fair catch - you handle just like a normal free kick. All the officials line up in their normal positions.

HOWEVER - this is a scoring kick, so........

The Referee lines up under the goal post - he has the good/no good decision.
The ball is not automatically dead when it breaks the plane of the goal line (because it is a scoring kick). It is dead if it is no good and breaks the plane.
R may return the kick as any other free kick.

Heads up - K can also onside kick!

[wheels]

Good point wisref! But, isn't it dead when it crosses the goal line? R can't return a kick in the EZ.

[wheels]

Good point Wisref! But, isn't it dead when it crosses the goal line? R can't return a kick in the EZ.

[wisref2]

Yes it is dead if it breaks the goal line and is not good. I said that, but not too clearly, didn't want to get too complicated.

Since it is a scoring kick - it is not AUTOMATICALLY dead when it crosses the goal line - it is treated like a field goal when it comes to the goal line.

Once it breaks the plane:
If it still has a chance to be good, it is still alive.
If it is obviously no good (way wide or way short, for instance), it is dead when it breaks the plane of the goal line.

If it is way short and lands in the field of play:
It is dead if it breaks the plane of the goal line.
If caught or recovered by R in the field of play, it may be returned as any other free kick.

Oh - and if it actually crosses between the posts and above the crossbar, it is good and is worth three points.

[MJT]

You also are probably going to have to advise both teams, especially the defense about the free kick lines and that R cannot cross it till the ball is kicked. It may be treated like a normal crimmage kick to us, but they are not going to think it is cuz they haven't seen it and they will be confused. I guarantee you will not be able to just line up and do it like a KO. It just won't happen without plenty of explaining.

[Blue37]

Originally Posted by wisref2

For a free kick after a fair catch - you handle just like a normal free kick. All the officials line up in their normal positions.

HOWEVER - this is a scoring kick, so........

The Referee lines up under the goal post - he has the good/no good decision.

We put the U back with the R so each upright is covered.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Blue37

We put the U back with the R so each upright is covered.

As you should.