Need a tee?

[maven]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

Don't see anything that says a tee must be used in either rule.

That's correct: the rule does not require a tee. But it does require that the ball be in a "fixed position."

Loose on the ground is not a "fixed position." That's why it's customary, when the ball blows off the tee, to have a holder fix its position on the tee. The kicking team may not simply set the ball on the ground and discard the tee.