Starburst

[Tony5]

I am having a discussion with a fellow official about the starburst on a free kick. I say that the total focus of the legality of the handoff is the release point from the runner to the player the ball is to be handed off to. My example is: A5 receives the free kick at the A10 yard line. A20 is standing on the A20 yard line with his back to the kicking team. A5 runs forward and holds the ball forward to A20 at the A19 yard line, but does not release the ball until he has crossed the 20 yard line. Is the release point the critical point or not?