Scrimmage Kick/penalty enforcement

[maven]

Here are some basic principles for kick plays:

1. K may always recover a scrimmage kick, though they might be liable for KCI.
2. K may advance any scrimmage kick they recover behind the NZ (and only those).
3. If R touches the kick beyond the NZ, whoever possesses the ball at the end of the down will get a new series.

Now, assuming that when K touches the kick beyond the ENZ it isn't KCI, that will be first touching.

When K recovers the kick behind the NZ, they may advance. If they advance beyond the LTG, the result of the play is a first down. If they score, the result of the play is a TD.

But in this play, nothing has happened to cancel R's right to take the ball at the spot of first touching. R did not foul and never touched the kick, so obviously they didn't foul after touching the kick. And with no fouls, there can be no accepted penalty.

So it will be R's ball, 1/10 at the spot of first touching.

Make sure your BJ has a bag on that spot!

[Twag]

Thanks for taking the time to explain. Rule 6-2 is a lot clearer now

[maven]

Originally Posted by Twag

Thanks for taking the time to explain. Rule 6-2 is a lot clearer now

People get confused by first touching because it's not a foul. But enforcement is in some ways similar to a foul.

"Game situations which produce results somewhat similar to penalties, but which are not classified as fouls are: disqualification of a player, first touching of a kick by K and forfeiture of a game." 2-16-6

As I've pointed out, the key to enforcing first touching is knowing when R loses the right to take the ball at the spot of first touching.