67 yard fair catch FG in CO

[Bullycon]

LDUB already mentioned the mechanics and the clock, the latter of which I hadn't noticed. Bad ECO!

The officials under the goalposts were... not under the goalposts. Moving to get a better angle on the crossbar? I've never seen that before.

What was the deal with the long break between the fair catch and the free kick? Did the visitors call timeout?

All in all, other than the clock, nothing horrible. I'm sure I look much worse most plays.

As for the announcers, not too bad. I caught two rule errors, and one nit-pick.

1) If an unsuccessful field goal attempt (i.e. a scrimmage kick) crosses the goal line, it is a touchback.
2) The fair catch free kick does not exist in college football.
3) "This is not, technically, a kick-off." Sure it is. Only, if the ball passes over the crossbar and through the uprights, it is a field goal, too.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Bullycon

LDUB already mentioned the mechanics and the clock, the latter of which I hadn't noticed. Bad ECO!

This is my nitpick. The crew missed this. In this situation, they should be noting the time thinking that the ECO would run the clock. Most places I've been the ECO is not an official, just someone running the clock.

I had a second run off on a try last night and also had a clock operator not stop the clock after a kickoff return ended last Friday night. If you don't watch the clock, you can't put time back on.

The kicking team called a timeout before the free kick.

[Canned Heat]

Did anyone notice the switching of the ball by the kicker...?

Ran the game ball off and brought in the team's "other" ball by the looks of things. Interesting.

Awesome kick regardless.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Canned Heat

Did anyone notice the switching of the ball by the kicker...?

Ran the game ball off and brought in the team's "other" ball by the looks of things. Interesting.

Awesome kick regardless.

Well, it could be that they fair caught the other team's football. Regardless, as far as I'm concerned, they can use any ball for a free kick that's been checked in prior to the game.

[eyezen]

I realize that Wikipedia is not a rules authority, but not being a football official it's the only reference I have. I bring this up because there have been several posts regarding the clock...

Snipped from Fair catch kick - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The fair catch kick has unique rules which distinguish it from other free kicks, such as kickoffs. Most significantly, it is the only variant in which the kicking team can score a field goal. Also, onside kicks are not permitted; the ball cannot be recovered by the kicking team unless first touched by the receiving team. In high school football, if the kicking team can recover or catch the ball beyond the receiving team's free-kick line before the ball becomes dead, they take possession of the ball. The clock starts when the ball is kicked. If the kick is unsuccessful, the rules are similar to that of a normal missed field goal: the opposing team has the option of fielding the ball and attempting a runback, or of taking possession at the spot of the kick.[1] A successful fair catch kick is followed by a normal kick off.

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by eyezen

I realize that Wikipedia is not a rules authority, but not being a football official it's the only reference I have. I bring this up because there have been several posts regarding the clock...

Snipped from Fair catch kick - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The fair catch kick has unique rules which distinguish it from other free kicks, such as kickoffs. Most significantly, it is the only variant in which the kicking team can score a field goal. Also, onside kicks are not permitted; the ball cannot be recovered by the kicking team unless first touched by the receiving team. In high school football, if the kicking team can recover or catch the ball beyond the receiving team's free-kick line before the ball becomes dead, they take possession of the ball. The clock starts when the ball is kicked. If the kick is unsuccessful, the rules are similar to that of a normal missed field goal: the opposing team has the option of fielding the ball and attempting a runback, or of taking possession at the spot of the kick.[1] A successful fair catch kick is followed by a normal kick off.

Several things are not correct.

Also, onside kicks are not permitted; the ball cannot be recovered by the kicking team unless first touched by the receiving team. (Yes, in the NFL) In high school football, if the kicking team can recover or catch the ball beyond the receiving team's free-kick line before the ball becomes dead, they take possession of the ball. (K catching a free kick is interference; they would not take possession of the ball) The clock starts when the ball is kicked. (Yes, in the NFL, NFHS the clock starts when the ball is touched other than first touching by K) If the kick is unsuccessful, the rules are similar to that of a normal missed field goal: the opposing team has the option of fielding the ball and attempting a runback, or of taking possession at the spot of the kick(only in the NFL).[1] A successful fair catch kick is followed by a normal kick off.

[eyezen]

Originally Posted by LDUB

Several things are not correct.

Also, onside kicks are not permitted; the ball cannot be recovered by the kicking team unless first touched by the receiving team. (Yes, in the NFL) In high school football, if the kicking team can recover or catch the ball beyond the receiving team's free-kick line before the ball becomes dead, they take possession of the ball. (K catching a free kick is interference; they would not take possession of the ball) The clock starts when the ball is kicked. (Yes, in the NFL, NFHS the clock starts when the ball is touched other than first touching by K) If the kick is unsuccessful, the rules are similar to that of a normal missed field goal: the opposing team has the option of fielding the ball and attempting a runback, or of taking possession at the spot of the kick(only in the NFL).[1] A successful fair catch kick is followed by a normal kick off.

OK fair enough. it wouldn't be the first time WP is wrong

[Rich]

Originally Posted by LDUB

Several things are not correct.

Also, onside kicks are not permitted; the ball cannot be recovered by the kicking team unless first touched by the receiving team. (Yes, in the NFL) In high school football, if the kicking team can recover or catch the ball beyond the receiving team's free-kick line before the ball becomes dead, they take possession of the ball. (K catching a free kick is interference; they would not take possession of the ball) The clock starts when the ball is kicked. (Yes, in the NFL, NFHS the clock starts when the ball is touched other than first touching by K) If the kick is unsuccessful, the rules are similar to that of a normal missed field goal: the opposing team has the option of fielding the ball and attempting a runback, or of taking possession at the spot of the kick(only in the NFL).[1] A successful fair catch kick is followed by a normal kick off.

The first sentence is wrong. Of course onsides kicks are permitted -- there's no difference between this and any other free kick.

I always chuckle when a team kicks off after a safety and someone yells that they're not allowed to use a tee. Another obscure NFL rule that someone thinks applies everywhere...