Just a couple of questions

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by chymechowder

NCAA has a rule--I think it was added a year or two ago--that speaks directly to your first case. If the punter throws a high pass that simulates a punt, there's no DPI.

REPLY: A little older. It was added in 2004.

[ajmc]

There are different rules that apply to scrimmage kicks, than forward passes and it is simply the job, and responsibility, of the defensive team to recognize what type play they are defending against. By definition, a kick (NF:2.24.1) begins with the, "intentional striking of the ball with the knee, lower leg or foot".

Unless, and until, the ball is actually kicked, kicking rules don't apply. NF: 2.31.1 defines passing as, "Passing is throwing a ball that is in player possession. In a pass, the ball travels in flight." Whether a pass was thrown, intended to look like a kick, doesn't matter, if "thrown" it's a pass and pass eligibility rules, including interference, holding apply as they would for any other legal forward pass.

It is what it is, and the defense has to recognize what it is and act accordingly.