On a pooch kickoff, can players on the kicking team hit a player on the recieving team that is attempting to catch the ball without signaling for a fair catch, before he catch`s it, if the ball has not hit the ground?

I think it`s a penalty, but a coach I know says it`s legal.
Is it legal?

It's a kick catching interference penalty. Fifteen yards.

Huskerblue is correct.
 

National Federation rules:

K cannot interfere with R's ability to catch a free kick.

K cannot possess a free kick until it has travelled 10 yards and has been grounded (both requirements have to be satisfied).

This is a loose ball foul. R can do one of the following: Accept the results of the play; penalize K 15 yards from the previous spot and rekick; R can accept an awarded fair catch at the spot of the foul and either snap or free kick.

Don't believe anything a coach tells you! :D

NCAA has the two yard "halo" rule 10 yards for a non-contact violation and 15 for contact.

The Fed rule is clear: you can't interfere with the receivers' attempts to catch a kicked ball IN FLIGHT.

Mike Simonds quoted the NF book almost verbatim.

BBRef is right about coaches. Just because he has the title "Coach" doesn't make him an expert in his sport.

what about if the ball is kicked into the ground and then pops up in the air, then are all bets off and you can hit the recieving players?

Then the ball isn't in flight, it's already hit the ground.

While this is a common play in college and pro ball, this is especially difficult for Fed officials. They usually don't see a kicker who is that skilled in the art of kicking a football.

I would suggest to all coaches out there to warn the officials' crew during the pregame chat that you have this play in your bag of tricks.

For the record, just because a person has the title, "Referee" doesn't mean we have to believe everything they say either, oh wait, yes we do, because as a "coach" I am a slave to the high or low knowledge of the supposED, "Referee."

You guys ought not to assume coaches are trying to cheat when they quote rules, you should listen and evaluate what they say and then make your judgements.

And remember, you get the option of listening to the coach. The coach is made to listen to you.

OK you got me back for a wisecrack that I made in another thread. It was made in fun and directed towards you Jim, but all in good fun!

You still haven't told me where your high school is located. I spoke with my crew chief on Friday night, and he's up for a road trip if it is at all possible. Remember, we love football and would show up practically anywhere anytime for a freakin' game!

we are in south carolina

Road Trip? Count me in!!!
 

Mike;
I also am up for a road trip!!!
What the heck, I'll fly out from Oregon for that game!
But I want Coach Marty's (aka JimNayzium) sideline...




[Edited by KWH on Oct 27th, 2002 at 12:59 AM]

Nah! If that was true, you wouldn't come here for answers when you disagree with your game officials. ;)