Kickoffs and Fair Catches | Behind the Football Stripes

tonyinjax
High School

Posts: 1

Kickoffs and Fair Catches Oct 1, 2019 19:23:03 GMT -5

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Post by tonyinjax on Oct 1, 2019 19:23:03 GMT -5

Since the new kickoff rules have completely skewed the onside kick opportunity, I have a question regarding placement of the ball - pre-kick.

If the kicker were to just lay the ball on the ground (no tee) would that satisfy the ground rule that if the ball touches the ground it can't be fair caught?

I've looked through the online NFL rule book and couldn't find the answer. I searched this forum and couldn't find where it had been discussed. And it's one of those things that might be so simple that it gets overlooked.

Any help in answering this question is appreciated.

Tony

goodgrr
Division I White Hat

We are always learning

Posts: 102

Kickoffs and Fair Catches Oct 2, 2019 2:05:00 GMT -5

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Post by goodgrr on Oct 2, 2019 2:05:00 GMT -5

What are you thinking the kicker would do with the kick? Kick it along the ground or in some way from the ground kick it into the air?

You can certainly put the ball on the ground leaning against the tee. However, if the kick is airborne then the receiver could signal for a fair-catch.

zebrablog
Administrator

@footballzebras

Posts: 2,227

Kickoffs and Fair Catches Oct 2, 2019 11:10:46 GMT -5

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Post by zebrablog on Oct 2, 2019 11:10:46 GMT -5

Welcome to the forum, tonyinjax.

When the ball is on the ground prior to the kick — either laying directly on the ground, partially propped on the tee, or drop kicked — it is legal to have a fair catch if it does not touch the ground after the kick.