Onside Kick Question

[jTheUmp]

Disclaimer: I have not seen the play in question.

First Question:
If no Team B (receiving team) player is in a position to catch the kick, Team A can catch it at the cost of an illegal touching violation.

See AR 6-4-1-I and 6-4-1-V (this AR is about a scrimmage kick, but the same rule applies).

It's up to the official's judgement if a Team B player is in position to catch the kick .

Second question:
By strict reading of the rule, Team A is offside if any part of a Team A player's body (other than that of the kicker and/or holder) is beyond the line when the ball is kicked.

In practice, offsides by Team A on a free kick won't be flagged unless the Team A player has a foot down offside OR an onside-kick is attempted and Team A's player breaks the plane of the free-kick line.

It's up to the official's judgement if this is an onside-kick attempt or not.