running punter
 

Quick question for oyu guys. I am away from my books and need to give an answer to a coach. I was asked if the punter runs to his left, right, or towards the line of scrimmage can he be hit if it is before he kicks the ball? My thoughts were that he is not protected as a kicker (punter) until his foot hits the ball and he is finishing his kick. Thanks in advance guys.

Its got nothing to do with running anywhere. He isn't a kicker until he makes contact with the ball.

ART. 8 . . . A kicker is any player who legally punts, drop kicks or place kicks.
A player becomes a kicker when his knee, lower leg or foot makes contact with
the ball. He continues to be the kicker until he has had reasonable opportunity to
regain his balance or until after a free kick, he has advanced 5 yards beyond his
free-kick line or the kick has touched the ground or any other player.

If you are a Fed member, you have access online. Next year there should be an app for you phone too.

thanks, I thought that was correct, but when coach questioned me I was unsure.

Kind of a silly question if you think about it. If you couldn't hit a running punter before he kicked the ball, how would you stop a fake punt? Wait at the line of scrimmage for him?