PSK Revisited

[procivil]

Otherwise a roughing the kicker penalty would classify as a PSK.

Note the commentary from NFHS casebook in 2003 when the rule was established:


"This change does not create an exception to the penalty code, but rather, a new enforcement spot. In addition, the rule change does not change the concept that the receiving team has to get the ball with "clean hands," but rather, that they have to have clean hands until the ball crosses the expanded neutral zone."

Also, consider the following from an Officiating.com article by Ed Hickland

"Making it simple

Post-scrimmage kick should not be a hard rule to understand. The rules writers are constrained by having to place somewhat common sense situations into appropriate verbiage; sometimes they end up with words and phrases that don�t convey the proper meaning. That is why we have interpreters.

The intent of the rule is to mitigate the penalty on the receiving team for a foul they committed while the ball following a scrimmage kick is in the possession of the kicking team.

Therefore, think in terms of the three possible situations where R could foul:

� Inside or behind the expanded neutral zone.

� Beyond the expanded neutral zone while the ball is in team possession of K.

� After his team has gained possession.

Then apply post-scrimmage kick rules:

� Inside or behind the expanded neutral zone: non-scrimmage kick rules.

� Beyond the expanded neutral zone while the ball is in team possession of K: post-scrimmage kick.

� After his team has gained possession: post-possession.

Non-scrimmage kick rules are treated as though the kick has not occurred. That could be roughing the kicker. R should not be entitled to gain possession of the ball.

On a post-scrimmage kick the ball is either in the air or has hit the ground and is bouncing around. R is entitled to the ball, but the foul must be penalized. Apply post-scrimmage kick rules. That type of foul is most common when the ball has hit the ground and is bounding around. A zealous R player trying to keep a K player from the ball blocks in the back or clips the player.

Once R has gained player and team possession or the ball is dead, R is definitely entitled to the ball. Any foul is post-possession and will be penalized as a running play. An example would be the receiver has the ball and is moving up field. A teammate blocking holds a K player.

Don�t be confused by the new rules on post-scrimmage kicks: Identifying the occurrence is simple, and so is the enforcement."



Read more: Officiating.com : Football : Post-Scrimmage Kick Again! — Part II — What about that play?



Procivil

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by procivil

Otherwise a roughing the kicker penalty would classify as a PSK.

No it wouldn't, due to another requirement of the PSK rule that the foul must occur beyond the expanded neutral zone.

The rule did initially state that the foul was at the snap but it has been since changed.

[procivil]

You are correct, Welpe; thanks for the clarification. I still believe PSK starts at the kick instead of the snap. PSK is all about not over-penalizing R/B to the extent that they lose possession. Simply stated: In order to be awarded possession, the receiving team must have "clean hands" to the point in which the ball crosses the neutral zone.