Roughing The Kicker

[Husker John]

Thanks for the responses.

Our kicker was drilled just as he was kicking. The leg was just making contact with the ball. Either way, running or roughing would have resulted in the same penalty half the distance and retry.

I have not seen the film yet, but will look at it and see if there was some other potential reason for the lack of flag. However, the only explanation I was given was the one provided by the white hat that the defense was allowed to do this under high school rules. I have sent a similar question to the head of our officials and asked him to communicate to the white hat.

[Warrenkicker]

Now we get some more information that would have been helpful earlier. Now we hear that the kicker was contacted right at the kick. If this contact started before his foot hit the ball then there is not any foul for roughing or running into the kicker.

We don't call the player a kicker until he is kicking the ball. Before that he is just a back. If the contact is before the kick then the player being hit is not a kicker.

[Husker John]

Exactly! He was kicking the ball, therefore, he was a kicker. Just like I explained. I understand what you are saying. The contact was made in front of the tee and was close but after the kick.

[Warrenkicker]

I don't doubt your description of the play. I just wanted to make sure of the timing of the contact.

Barring a mistake by the white hat the only thing left in question is the severity of the contact.