Free kick "first touch"

[wyo-referee]

K kicks off and ball lands on 25 and K attempts to field it on the run and doesn't control it and ball skips and rolls and finally recovered by R at 5. R's coach wanted the ball at 25 for first touching. I gave him ball 5. I can't find in rule book where i did wrong. My reason was that the ball has gone 10 yards and hit the ground, it's a free football for anybody to recover and it wasn't batted.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by wyo-referee

K kicks off and ball lands on 25 and K attempts to field it on the run and doesn't control it and ball skips and rolls and finally recovered by R at 5. R's coach wanted the ball at 25 for first touching. I gave him ball 5. I can't find in rule book where i did wrong. My reason was that the ball has gone 10 yards and hit the ground, it's a free football for anybody to recover and it wasn't batted.

First touching on a free kick only applies to the ball being touched by K in the neutral zone. The ball landing at the 25 is not in that area (if you kick from the 40 as normal).

Just sounds like one of those many rules a coach does not know.

Peace

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by wyo-referee

K kicks off and ball lands on 25 and K attempts to field it on the run and doesn't control it and ball skips and rolls and finally recovered by R at 5. R's coach wanted the ball at 25 for first touching. I gave him ball 5. I can't find in rule book where i did wrong. My reason was that the ball has gone 10 yards and hit the ground, it's a free football for anybody to recover and it wasn't batted.

During a free kick, first touching can only occur in the 10 yard neutral zone.

You got it right, don't sweat it.

[MRH]

Originally Posted by wyo-referee

K kicks off and ball lands on 25 and K attempts to field it on the run and doesn't control it and ball skips and rolls and finally recovered by R at 5. R's coach wanted the ball at 25 for first touching. I gave him ball 5. I can't find in rule book where i did wrong. My reason was that the ball has gone 10 yards and hit the ground, it's a free football for anybody to recover and it wasn't batted.

You did well!! K is entitled to recovery in your situation.