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Interpretations in 2003 Kicking Game Situations
The rules changes involving kicking situations have created much discussion. The
following is combined interpretations from John Adams, Tim Millis, Jim Blackwood
and others attending the NCAA rules committee meeting.
9-4-1
The two yard restricted area (halo rule) was eliminated but the unimpeded
opportunity to catch kick will continue to be enforced. The NCAA Rules
Committee and Rules Editor, John Adams, emphasized the following during
discussion, meetings, clinics, the writing of the Rules and the 2003 Points of
emphasis:
- The kicking team is responsible to know the location of the kicked ball.
If a receiver has to run-around a kicking team player while moving toward the
ball and attempting to catch it, it is a kick catch interference foul against
the kickers even if there is no contact.
- It is an interference foul if the kicking team contacts the receiver
before or simultaneous to his first touching of the ball. The receiver must
show some evidence of possession. When in question, it is kick catch
interference foul.
- Defenseless players include kick receivers (1) whose attention is on the
downward flight of the ball and (2) who has just touched the ball.
- Intentional helmet-to-helmet contact is never legal nor any blow directed
at opponents head.
- Flagrant offenders will continue to be disqualified.
- Interference could include a kicking team member standing close to a
receiver, running in front of him, waving his arms at him, or yelling,
shouting, or screaming at him. Interference is a judgment call in these
situations.
- This means you don't have to have contact to have a foul.
- Officials should be consistent in this enforcement.
FAIR CATCH 6-5-1- an exception
Once receivers have signaled for a fair catch, he cannot run with the ball after
the catch and neither team can run with the ball after a muff or recovery.
- A 2003 rule change provides that the unimpeded opportunity to catch a free
or scrimmage kick is extended to a receiver who muffs a kick if a valid fair
catch signal was made and he still has an opportunity to complete the catch
(the opportunity is a judgment call.)
- The kicking team cannot interfere with the receiver or contact him or the
ball until the ball strikes the ground.
- This differs from an invalid fair catch signal or when no signal is given;
in each of these situations the protection terminates when the ball is muffed.
BOTTOM LINE
Once the free or scrimmage kick is made, LET THEM CATCH THE BALL!!!
NCAA Football Play Situations and Interpretations for the 2003
season from John Adams, secretary-rules editor of the NCAA Football Rules
Committee.
