Question on Free Kick

[AZ Line Judge]

On a free kick, does the kicking team have to use a tee, or can they lay the ball on the ground by the tee, but not touching it?

We had this situation in a Pee Wee game and another Ref told me that the ball had too be touching the tee.

I couldn't find anything in the rules that support this statement.

[Bad Mood Risin]

you won't find any rules support as there is none. Sounded like you worked with a guy who doesn't know the rules or makes up his own.

[mbyron]

Did you ever notice that when officials make up rules, it's nearly always to prohibit rather than allow something? This observation supports a larger theory about giving small people a little power: they feel that they must exercise it as often as possible by saying "no."

[daggo66]

No, I've never noticed that.

[AZ Line Judge]

Originally Posted by Bad Mood Risin

you won't find any rules support as there is none. Sounded like you worked with a guy who doesn't know the rules or makes up his own.

Overall, he is a good official and I have learned a lot from him. That is why I am asking the question.

Some of the other officials in our association would be a different story.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by AZ Line Judge

On a free kick, does the kicking team have to use a tee, or can they lay the ball on the ground by the tee, but not touching it?

We had this situation in a Pee Wee game and another Ref told me that the ball had too be touching the tee.

I couldn't find anything in the rules that support this statement.

I'm sure you won't, but it seems like a candidate for a discretionary ruling against. If one team wanted to litter the field with various items during the game, you probably wouldn't let them, even though I don't think there's any specific rule against it, so what's the justification for this piece of litter if it's not doing anything constructive for the game?

Robert

[DesertZebra]

I've seen a team place the ball next to the tee, huddle up and wait for the signal from the R. Once the whistle is blown the kicker will walk up to the ball to place the ball on the tee, but instead kick the ball to an unsuspecting team.

USC, yes?

[Welpe]

No, that is legal. There is not requirement for the ball to be on a tee for it to be legally kicked so the receiving team needs to be alert for a kick once the RFP is blown.

[DesertZebra]

Originally Posted by Welpe

No, that is legal. There is not requirement for the ball to be on a tee for it to be legally kicked so the receiving team needs to be alert for a kick once the RFP is blown.

Nope, it is USC - Intent to deceive. Much like the "Wrong ball, coach" play. Just because the RFP has blown doesn't mean all bets are off for deception. If the tee is being used as a decoy, intent to deceive is the call.

[ajmc]

I can't find any reference to the requirement of a kicking tee in NF 6.1 (Free Kicks). Nor is there any suggestion regarding a kicking tee in NF: 2.24.3, which defines a "Free Kick".

NF:2.24.5 describing a "kickoff" limits the type of kick to be used as either a "drop kick" or a "place kick".

NF:2.24.7, defines "a place kick" is a legal kick made while the ball is in a fixed position on the ground or on a kicking tee".

Just an observation, but there seems to be WAY TOO MANY attempts to blow things up into USC under some exaggerated concept of "Intent to Deceive". Football is all about deception, and the counter ability of being smart enough to avoid being deceived by gimmicks.

[JamesBond]

Originally Posted by DesertZebra

Nope, it is USC - Intent to deceive. Much like the "Wrong ball, coach" play. Just because the RFP has blown doesn't mean all bets are off for deception. If the tee is being used as a decoy, intent to deceive is the call.

Can someone give me a rule reference for "intent to deceive". I can't find the passage for that.
007

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by DesertZebra

I've seen a team place the ball next to the tee, huddle up and wait for the signal from the R. Once the whistle is blown the kicker will walk up to the ball to place the ball on the tee, but instead kick the ball to an unsuspecting team.

USC, yes?

Normally you tell the kicker to hold up his hand to let the R know he is ready to kick, or, at least, you tell him that. Once the whistle blows the play clock takes over and there is 25 seconds to kick.

I would say USC as the kicker walking toward the ball and the motion of attempting to place the ball on the tee when a kick is imminent

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

I would say USC as the kicker walking toward the ball and the motion of attempting to place the ball on the tee when a kick is imminent

Huh. I was unaware of this. Which code, starting when, banned the old play of multiple K players approaching the ball and some of them drawing back before one of them finally kicks it? Which would seem to be USC by my understanding of what you've written.

Robert