Spot after missed field goal
 

If a field goal (NFHS) does not reach the end zone, R gets the ball at the spot where the kick comes to rest, correct?

Can you please cite a rule number as well.

Thanks!!

In NFHS, a field goal is a scrimmage kick just like a punt (except it has a chance at scoring). If it is short and still in the field of play, it can be recovered by R and returned, downed by K, muffed by R and recovered by K, etc. If the kick breaks the goal line plane and does not go through the uprights, it is a touchback and R would get the ball at the 20.

I don't have my book with me but check Rule 2 for the definition of a scrimmage kick (found under Kicks) and look over Rule 6 for kicking rules.

You can look up the definition of a scrimmage kick in rule 2. Then look up what it takes to score a field goal with said kick under rule 8. And finally look up what you do with a scrimmage kick that becomes dead in the field under rule 6.

There are only two types of kicks in the NFHS Rule Book, free and scrimmage kicks.

A field goal is a scrimmage kick. All the rules you apply to a punt minus the scoring, of course, apply. If it comes to rest in the field of play without being touched, it belongs to R. Also, rules for first touching apply.

Thanks fellas!

Yes if in fact it does come to rest with no player attempting to play it, provided there's no spot of 1st touching by K beyond the ENZ to deal with.

Football Question from a Basketball Dude
 

I do basketball and choose to remain blissfully ignorant of football rules so as to never be able to contest any calls made by my striped friends on the field with hats on their heads. Please, however, help me understand this football situation.

There is one area coach whose team, in a punting situation, always has his center snap the ball to a holder who places the ball and the kicker kicks it just as if it were a field goal attempt. Doesn't matter if it's at midfield or deep in their own territory, they've done it the same for several years now.

Other than the possibility that this team always has a kicker but has no one who can punt, is there any rules advantage for this team's coach to do this?

Thanx in advance for your response(s).

For NFHS, both punts and FG attempts are scrimmage kicks and governed by exactly the same rules. A missed FG functions just like a punt in every way.

The only "rules advantage" is that the other team might not know that Fed rules (unlike the NFL & NCAA rules which changed in the 1970s) still treat all kicks from scrimmage the same, and therefore might not attempt to run the ball back.

There are several tactical disadvantages to using a place kick rather than a punt for field position, the only tactical advantage being accuracy in driving the ball out of bounds. Before NFL and NCAA changed their rules, one practically never saw a place kick used from scrimmage unless it had at least some chance to score a goal, because of these disadvantages vs. punting. Therefore the recent popularity of this tactic in Fed ball can be explained only as an attempt to exploit ignorance of the rules against those who are too young to realize otherwise.

I see more and more teams doing it. But it would seem to me that place kicks are easier to block. However, there maybe less chance of a bad snap.

Canadian Ruling
 

CANADIAN RULING:

Live ball. Onside K players can recover without penalty. Offside K players must maintain a 5-yard halo around the ball only if R touches it first.

There's a greater chance of the snap's being muffed because you're snapping to someone kneeling. A standing player can adjust easier to an errant snap.

One of our schools set up for a FG on 4th down every time about 7-8 years ago. Coach confessed that he didn't have a punter and felt this was the safer option for his team.