2 of 43

RULE 6 OVERVIEW

What's in This Deck

The Kickoff and Other Free Kicks

Scrimmage Kicks

Touchback

Summary of Kick Activities

Fair Catch

3 of 43

SECTION

The Kickoff

And Other Free Kicks

4 of 43

SECTION 1 · ART. 1

The Free-Kick Line

For any free kick, a free-kick line is established for each team, corresponding to a scrimmage line. The two lines are always 10 yards apart.
Unless moved by a penalty, K's free-kick line is:

Its 40-yard line for a kickoff.
Its 20-yard line after a safety.
The yard line through the spot of the catch, after a fair catch.
The yard line through the spot of an awarded fair catch.

5 of 43

SECTION 1 · ART. 2–4

Where the Kick Is Made From, and Formation Requirements

A free kick must be made from any point between the hash marks, on K's free-kick line. Once designated, K must kick from that spot.

A punt may not be used for a free kick, except after a safety — and then it must be kicked within one step behind K's free-kick line.
In an emergency (like a pool of water on K's free-kick line), the Referee may move the ball to a playable line — both free-kick lines then move to compensate.

After ready-for-play, until the ball is kicked: no player, other than the kicker and the holder for a place kick, may be beyond his free-kick line.

No K player, other than the kicker, may be more than 5 yards behind K's free-kick line. A player satisfies this if no foot is on or beyond the line 5 yards back — if one K player is deeper than that and any other player kicks the ball, it's a foul.

At the time the ball is kicked, at least four K players must be on each side of the kicker.

6 of 43

SECTION 1 · ART. 5–6

Catching, Recovering, and Dead-Ball Rules

Any receiver may catch or recover a free kick in the field of play and advance, unless an R player has given a valid or invalid fair-catch signal. R may also catch or recover a free kick in K's end zone.
If any K player recovers or catches a free kick, the ball becomes dead and belongs to him — unless it's kick-catching interference and R chooses an awarded fair catch, or unless it's first touching.

K may recover before the ball crosses R's free-kick line if a receiver touched it first; that touching in the neutral zone is ignored if K pushed/blocked R into it, or K muffed the ball into R.
K may recover once the ball has both touched the ground and gone beyond R's free-kick line — in either order.
If a free kick becomes dead inbounds with no player in possession, or inbounds anywhere with opponents in joint possession, the ball goes to R.

7 of 43

SECTION 1 · ART. 7

First Touching of a Free Kick

If any K player touches a free kick before it crosses R's free-kick line, and before it's touched there by any R player, it's "first touching of the kick."
R may take the ball at the spot of first touching (or any spot, if there's more than one), or let the ball be put in play by whatever action follows.

Such touching is ignored if it's caused by R pushing or blocking K into contact with the ball.
R's right to take the ball at the spot of first touching is canceled if R touches the kick and then commits a foul during the down, or if a penalty is accepted for any foul during the down.

8 of 43

SECTION 1 · ART. 8–11

Repeat Kicks, Out of Bounds, and Pop-Up Kicks

A free kick is not repeated unless:

A foul occurs before a change of possession and penalty acceptance requires a replay.
There's a double foul.
There's an inadvertent whistle during the kick.

A free kick may not be kicked out of bounds between the goal lines untouched inbounds by R.

If a free kick does go out of bounds after being touched inbounds by R, R puts it in play at the inbounds spot.

A pop-up kick is illegal.

Penalties

Free-kick infraction / pop-up kick: 5 yards
Encroachment: 5 yards
Free kick out of bounds: 5 yards and re-kick, 5 yards from the succeeding spot, or the inbounds spot 25 yards beyond the previous spot

9 of 43

CASE PLAY — 6.1.3, 6.1.4

Free-Kick Formation Violations

THE PLAY

(6.1.3) After ready-for-play, Team K has five players on each side of the kicker, ball at the K40. K1 lines up at the K32 to kick, with all other K players clearly outside the K35. As K1 approaches, he suddenly slows down and K2 kicks an onside kick, recovered by R1.

(6.1.4) After ready-for-play, as the ball is being kicked, Team K has three players to the left of the kicker and seven players to the right.

THE RULING

(6.1.3) Team K committed a free-kick infraction — the ball is blown dead immediately, and R gets the option to accept a 5-yard penalty for the dead-ball foul.

(6.1.4) Same result — a free-kick infraction by K, blown dead immediately, with R getting the 5-yard option. Communication between officials and both teams is critical — the Referee should confirm every opportunity for proper formation has been given before sounding ready-for-play.

10 of 43

CASE PLAY — 6.1.6

Recovery by K

THE PLAY

(A) A kickoff by K1 from K's 40 is muffed by R1 near his 20. K2 catches the muff at the 18 and advances into R's end zone.

(B) K's free kick is bouncing in the neutral zone where R1 and K1 are blocking each other. K2 muffs the ball, it touches R1's leg, and K3 recovers.

THE RULING

(A) It's K's ball, first and 10, from R's 18. K2 may catch or recover the muffed kick, but may not advance — the ball is dead the instant K gains possession.

(B) R1's touching is ignored, and R is awarded possession at the spot of first touching or the dead-ball spot.

11 of 43

CASE PLAY — 6.1.7

First Touching of a Free Kick

THE PLAY

A free kick from K's 40 is high and comes down over K's 45, where K2 muffs it in flight. K3 then recovers it at R's 40.

THE RULING

This is both first touching and kick-catching interference by K2. R may take the ball at the spot of first touching, take the results of the play, or accept a 15-yard kick-catching-interference penalty (enforced from the spot of the foul, or from the previous spot with a re-kick). Note: the game clock does not start on first touching of a free kick — that protects R's opportunity to put the ball in play.

12 of 43

CASE PLAY — 6.1.9 — A, C

Causing a Free Kick to Go Out of Bounds

THE PLAY

(A) K1's free kick is possessed by R1, who: (a) is airborne and lands with one foot on the sideline at his 26, or (b) contacts the sideline at the 26 after completing the catch.

(C) R1 is running near a sideline attempting to catch a free kick in flight. R1 has: (a) both feet inbounds, or (b) one foot on the sideline, when he reaches through the plane of the sideline. The ball bounces off his hands and lands out of bounds.

THE RULING

(A) In both (a) and (b), R puts the ball in play, first and 10, from its 26 — R1 caused the ball to go out of bounds.

(C) In (a), the ball wasn't out of bounds until it hit the ground there; since R1 touched it, he caused it to go out, and R gets the ball at the inbounds spot. In (b), R1 was already out of bounds when he touched the ball, so the kicker caused it to go out.

13 of 43

CASE PLAY — 6.1.9 SITUATION B

Free Kick Untouched, Then Goes Out of Bounds

THE PLAY

K1's free kick from the 40: (a) is touched by R1 at R's 5 and goes out of bounds at the 8; (b) is muffed by R1 at his 15, then touched by K2 before rolling out of bounds at R's 10; (c) bounces out of bounds at R's 30, untouched by either team; or (d) untouched by either team, crosses the sideline and is caught by R1, who is standing out of bounds.

THE RULING

(a) and (b): the ball belongs to R at the inbounds spot — R touched it before it went out.

(c): this is a foul by K. Receivers may accept a 5-yard penalty and have K re-kick, accept 5 yards from the succeeding spot, take the ball 25 yards beyond the previous spot at the inbounds spot, or take the ball at the inbounds spot outright.

(d): the kick didn't end until it was touched out of bounds by R1 — this counts as a free kick out of bounds, with the same set of R options as (c).

14 of 43

CASE PLAY — 6.1.9 — D, E, F, G

Onside Kicks That Go Out of Bounds

THE PLAY

(D) K1's onside kick from the 40 bounces near the sideline and is muffed out of bounds by K2 at R's 49.

(E) K1 squib kicks to R's 30, where: (a) R muffs it out of bounds at R's 28, or (b) R muffs it toward the sideline where K2 muffs it out of bounds at R's 28.

(F) K1's onside kick: K2 muffs it at K's 48, it bounces off an R player, and K3 muffs it out of bounds at R's 45. K did not force the ball into R.

(G) K1's onside kick is rolling at R's 46 when K2 muffs it, causing it to touch R3's leg, and it goes out of bounds at R's 42.

THE RULING

(D) R may accept 5 yards and have K re-kick from the 35, accept 5 yards from the succeeding spot, take the ball 25 yards beyond the previous spot, or take the ball at the inbounds spot.

(E) In both (a) and (b), R puts the ball in play at R's 28.

(F) R can choose the ball at K's 48 (spot of first touching) or at R's 45 (where it went out).

(G) Since R's touching is ignored (it was caused by K's muff), this is a free kick that went out of bounds — R gets the same menu of options as in (D).

15 of 43

CASE PLAY — 6.1.9 SITUATION I, 6.1.11

Failed Field Goal Foul, and a Pop-Up Kick

THE PLAY

(6.1.9-I) K's field-goal attempt is unsuccessful, and: (a) the ball enters the end zone where it's declared dead, or (b) the ball is fielded by R at the R5 and returned to the 25. During the kick, K commits a holding foul.

(6.1.11) K1 executes a pop-up kick from the K40 on a free-kick down.

THE RULING

(6.1.9-I) In (a), R has other options by rule, but will likely accept the distance penalty enforced from R's 20. In (b), same idea, but enforced from R's 25.

(6.1.11) The play is blown dead immediately, and K is penalized 5 yards for a free-kick infraction. If the distance penalty is accepted, K must re-kick from the K35. If declined, K re-kicks from the K40 — either way, K has to kick again.

16 of 43

SECTION

Scrimmage Kicks

17 of 43

SECTION 2 · ART. 1–4

Who May Kick, Catch, and Recover

K may punt, drop kick, or place kick from in or behind the neutral zone, before team possession has changed. A scrimmage-kick formation isn't required to execute a legal scrimmage kick. K may not kick from beyond the neutral zone. R may not punt, drop kick, or place kick at all.
Any receiver may catch or recover a scrimmage kick in the field of play and advance — unless it's during a try, or an R player has signaled for a fair catch. R may catch or recover in K's end zone too.
Any K player may catch or recover a scrimmage kick while it's in or behind the neutral zone and advance — unless it's during a try.
K may catch or recover a kick beyond the neutral zone (or expanded neutral zone) only if a receiver clearly beyond the neutral zone touched it first. Such a catch or recovery beyond the neutral zone makes the ball dead — K cannot advance it.

18 of 43

SECTION 2 · ART. 5

First Touching of a Scrimmage Kick

If any K player touches a scrimmage kick beyond the expanded neutral zone — before R touches it there and before the ball comes to rest — it's "first touching," and the location is the "spot of first touching."

That touching is ignored if caused by R pushing or blocking K into contact with the ball.

R may take the ball at the spot of first touching (or any such spot, if more than one), or let the ball be put in play by whatever follows.

R's right to that spot is canceled if R touches the kick and then commits a foul during the down, or if a penalty is accepted for any foul during the down.

19 of 43

SECTION 2 · ART. 6–7

Low Kicks, the Expanded Zone, and Out-of-Bounds Kicks

Touching a low scrimmage kick by any player is ignored if it happens in or behind the expanded neutral zone.

If a scrimmage kick occurs, the neutral zone may not expand into the end zone.

A scrimmage kick that goes out of bounds between the goal lines — or becomes dead inbounds with no possession, or with opponents in joint possession — is awarded to R.

After an out-of-bounds kick, the ball goes in at the inbounds spot, unless R chooses the spot of first touching instead.

Penalty

Illegal kick: 10 yards

20 of 43

CASE PLAY — 6.2.3

Touching and Recovering Scrimmage Kicks

THE PLAY

(A) K1's scrimmage kick is partially blocked in the neutral zone by R1. The kick goes beyond the neutral zone, where R2 muffs it back behind the neutral zone. K2 recovers behind the neutral zone and advances across R's goal line.

(B) Third and 10 on K's 10. K1's punt is blocked and recovered on K's 4: (a) simultaneously by K2 and R1, or (b) by K2, who advances to K's 15.

THE RULING

(A) Touchdown for K. The spot of recovery is the only thing that matters — whether the kick went beyond the neutral zone and rebounded back is irrelevant. Recovered in or behind the neutral zone means K may advance.

(B) In (a), the ball is dead immediately and awarded to R because of the joint recovery. In (b), since K recovered in or behind the neutral zone, K may advance — fourth and 5 for K from its own 15. The series didn't end just because the kick was blocked.

21 of 43

CASE PLAY — 6.2.4

A Batted Kick Touching R Is Ignored

THE PLAY

Fourth and 10. K11 punts from K's 40. While R1 and K1 are blocking downfield at R's 30, K2 legally bats the ball at R's 28, and the batted ball touches R1's leg. K3 then recovers at the 30.

THE RULING

This touching by R is ignored, and R has the choice of taking the ball at the spot of first touching or the dead-ball spot — K's legal bat doesn't create new possession rights for K just because it happened to touch R.

22 of 43

CASE PLAY — 6.2.5 — A, B

When K Fails to Down the Kick

THE PLAY

(A) K1 attempts to down a punt beyond the neutral zone, but his touch only slows it. R1 recovers the bouncing ball, advances 25 yards, then fumbles — K2 recovers and is immediately tackled.

(B) K2, running toward R's end zone, leaps to catch K1's punt in flight. He has the ball in his grasp over the 1-yard line, but first touches the ground in R's end zone. No R player is in position to catch the punt.

THE RULING

(A) R may take the results of the play, or retain possession by taking the ball at the spot of K1's first touching — unless R commits a foul (or a penalty is accepted for one) after touching the ball.

(B) R can take the ball at the spot of first touching (his own 1), or take a touchback — K2 hadn't possessed the ball until he came down in the end zone.

23 of 43

CASE PLAY — 6.2.5 SITUATION C

First Touching, a Fumble, Then a Foul

THE PLAY

Fourth and 5 from K's 30. K9 punts downfield; it's grounded and touched by K88 (first touching) at R's 30. It continues rolling and is picked up by R35 at R's 25. R35 is hit and fumbles at R's 28. K88 recovers the loose ball on the ground at R's 26. During the kick, R55 is flagged for holding.

THE RULING

If K accepts the penalty for R's holding foul, it's enforced from the previous spot — post-scrimmage-kick enforcement doesn't apply, since K is already next to put the ball in play via the recovered fumble. Accepting the penalty also means the first-touching spot is not applied. If K declines the penalty instead, R takes the ball at the spot of first touching.

24 of 43

CASE PLAY — 6.2.6

Why the Neutral Zone Expands

THE PLAY

What is the reason for the expanded neutral zone during scrimmage kicks, and how does it affect the touching of a low kick in that area?

THE RULING

The expanded zone — up to 2 yards behind the defensive line of scrimmage — exists to permit normal line play, letting offensive linemen drive defenders off the line. Touching a low kick in that zone is ignored, whether by K or R, as long as the kick hasn't gone beyond the expanded zone. The zone disintegrates the instant the kick crosses it, or once its trajectory makes it clear it can't be touched until it comes down. After that: K touching the kick in flight beyond the neutral zone is kick-catching interference if an R player is in position to catch it, and R touching it beyond the neutral zone establishes a new series.

25 of 43

CASE PLAY — 6.2.7

Simultaneous Recovery in K's End Zone

THE PLAY

Fourth and 3 for K from its own 10. K1's scrimmage kick is muffed in flight by R1 beyond the neutral zone, then rebounds into K's end zone, where it's simultaneously recovered by opposing players.

THE RULING

Touchdown for R. The governing principle: if K is in possession in its own end zone at the end of the down, it's a safety; if R is in possession, or there's joint possession, it's a touchdown. The ball is awarded to R whenever a scrimmage kick goes out of bounds between the goal lines, becomes dead inbounds with no possession, or becomes dead inbounds anywhere with opponents in joint possession. Since the kick was muffed beyond the neutral zone with no possession established, it's still treated as a kick into K's own end zone.

26 of 43

SECTION

Touchback

27 of 43

SECTION 3 · ART. 1–2

When Is It a Touchback?

It's a touchback if a free kick or scrimmage kick:

Isn't a scoring attempt (or is a grounded three-point field-goal attempt) and breaks the plane of R's goal line — unless R chooses a spot of first touching by K.
Is a three-point field-goal attempt that, in flight, touches a K player in R's end zone, or is unsuccessful after breaking the plane of R's goal line.

If a free kick or scrimmage kick becomes dead in the kicker's own end zone with no player in possession, it's a safety or a touchback, per the possession rules in Rule 8.

28 of 43

CASE PLAY — 6.3.1

Kicks Into R's End Zone, and Blocking From the Crossbar

THE PLAY

(A) K1's scrimmage kick comes to rest on R's 6. R1 tries to recover and advance but muffs it, and it rolls into the end zone where: (a) R2 downs it; (b) R3 recovers and advances out; or (c) K2 recovers and downs it in the end zone.

(B) During a field-goal attempt, R1, in the end zone, leaps and blocks the ball away from the crossbar.

THE RULING

(A) The ball became dead the instant it broke the plane of R's goal line — it's a touchback in (a), (b), and (c). Muffing doesn't constitute possession, so this is still a kick into R's end zone, an automatic touchback. Force is not a factor on kicks going into R's end zone.

(B) Touchback. R1's touch in the end zone makes the ball dead, unless it caroms through the goal and scores. This isn't illegal batting — the touching is what caused the kick to fail in the first place.

29 of 43

SECTION 4 · TABLE 6-4

Result of Activities During Kicks

Scrimmage kick, recovered beyond the neutral zone:

May be advanced only by R.

Scrimmage kick, recovered in or behind the neutral zone:

May be advanced by either team.

Scrimmage kick, not recovered by either team:

Belongs to R.

Scrimmage kick, jointly recovered by R and K:

Belongs to R.

Free Kicks

A kickoff (including after a safety) cannot score a field goal
A kick after a fair catch or awarded fair catch MAY score a field goal
A free kick may not be advanced by K
A free kick not recovered by either team, or jointly recovered by R and K, belongs to R

30 of 43

TABLE 6-4 — END ZONE RESULTS

If the Kick Becomes Dead in K's End Zone

Force	If OOB or K Has Possession	If R Has Possession
The kick itself, or any other new force by K	Safety	Touchdown
A new force by R	Touchback	Touchdown

31 of 43

SECTION

Fair Catch

32 of 43

SECTION 5 · ART. 1–3

What Is a Fair Catch?

Any receiver may signal for a fair catch while any legal kick is in flight. Once he's given a valid or invalid signal, he's prohibited from blocking until the kick ends.
It's a fair catch, and the ball is dead, if a receiver gives a valid signal and catches a free kick (in or beyond the neutral zone, to R's goal line) or a scrimmage kick (beyond the neutral zone, to R's goal line).
Only the receiver who gave the signal is protected. If a teammate makes the catch instead, it's not a fair catch — but the ball still becomes dead.

33 of 43

SECTION 5 · ART. 4

Choosing Where to Put the Ball in Play

The captain may choose to free kick or snap anywhere between the hash marks:

On the yard line through the spot of the catch, for a fair catch.
Through the spot of interference, for an awarded fair catch.
At the succeeding spot, if the distance penalty for kick-catching interference is accepted following an awarded fair catch and the down isn't replayed.

These Choices Survive

A dead-ball foul before the next down
A foul or inadvertent whistle during the next down that causes a replay

34 of 43

SECTION 5 · ART. 5–6

No Advancing, and K's Obligations

No receiver may advance the ball after any R player has given a valid or invalid fair-catch signal.
While a free kick is in flight in or beyond the neutral zone (to R's goal line), or a scrimmage kick is in flight beyond the neutral zone, K may not:

Touch the ball or R — unless blocked into it, or warding off a blocker.
Obstruct R's path to the ball — this applies even without a signal, but not after a receiver clearly beyond the neutral zone has touched the kick.

EXCEPTION

K may catch, touch, muff, or bat a scrimmage kick in flight beyond the neutral zone if no R player is in position to catch it

35 of 43

SECTION 5 · ART. 7–8

Invalid and Illegal Signals

A receiver shall not give an invalid fair-catch signal.
The runner shall not give an illegal fair-catch signal.

Penalties

Blocking after a valid/invalid signal: 15 yards
Delay of game (advancing after a signal): 5 yards
Kick-catching interference: results of the play, an awarded fair catch after a 15-yard penalty, or 15 yards from the previous spot with a replay
Invalid signal: 5 yards · Illegal signal: 5 yards

36 of 43

CASE PLAY — 6.5.1

Fair-Catch Signal During the Kick

THE PLAY

(A) R1 and R2 both signal for a fair catch: (a) the punt is short and caught by R3; (b) the punt sails over R1, and R2 blocks K1, who's attempting to down it near the goal line; or (c) R2 muffs the punt, K2 also muffs it, and R1 finally recovers.

(B) K1 attempts an onside kick from his own 40 but pops it into the air instead. R1 signals for a fair catch in flight and catches it: (a) before it crosses R's free-kick line, or (b) after.

THE RULING

(A) In (a), R3 didn't make a fair catch, but the ball became dead when caught. In (b), it's an illegal block — R2 blocked before the kick ended after signaling; if accepted, the penalty is administered from the post-scrimmage kick spot. In (c), the ball became dead as soon as R1 recovered it.

(B) R1 made a fair catch in both (a) and (b) — a fair catch is permitted anywhere from in or beyond the neutral zone to R's goal line during a free kick.

37 of 43

CASE PLAY — 6.5.2 SITUATION A

Signal, Then a Muff

THE PLAY

During a scrimmage kick beyond the expanded neutral zone, R1 signals for a fair catch, then muffs the kick into the air, where: (a) he catches it himself 5 yards in advance of the muff; (b) K2 pushes R1 trying to reach the ball; (c) K3 tackles R1 following the muff, preventing him from catching it; or (d) R1 is blocked below the waist by K4, and K5 recovers.

THE RULING

(a) R1 made a fair catch — the ball is put in play where the catch was completed.

(b) K2's contact is legal, since K may retain possession following R1's muff.

(d) K4's block is illegal. The fouls in (c) and (d) both occur during a loose-ball play — if accepted, the penalty is enforced from the previous spot and the down is replayed.

38 of 43

CASE PLAY — 6.5.2 SITUATION B, 6.5.3

Fair-Catch Protection — Where and Who

THE PLAY

(6.5.2-B) K2's punt is high, and a strong wind blows it back toward the neutral zone. R1 gives a valid signal while beyond the neutral zone — but the ball comes down: (a) in, or (b) behind, the neutral zone, and K2 pushes R1 and then catches the kick and advances.

(6.5.3) R1 signals for a fair catch of a scrimmage kick by K1. Teammate R2 catches the kick instead and is tackled immediately by K1, who may or may not have seen the signal. The contact (not a personal foul) happened before the covering official's whistle. R2 fumbles on the tackle, and K2 recovers.

THE RULING

(6.5.2-B) Since K may catch or recover a scrimmage kick in or behind the neutral zone and advance, the action in both (a) and (b) is legal. R may not fair catch a kick that comes down in or behind the neutral zone — so he can be legally contacted there, signal notwithstanding.

(6.5.3) The ball became dead when R2 caught it. K1's contact wasn't a foul, because R2 himself never signaled — he isn't afforded special protection just because a teammate signaled. R2 fumbled a dead ball, so there could be no recovery by K2. If K1 could not have seen R1's signal, there's no foul; if he could have, he doesn't get to contact the receiver regardless.

39 of 43

CASE PLAY — 6.5.4

Choice to Snap or Free Kick After an Awarded Fair Catch

THE PLAY

R1 signals for a fair catch beyond the neutral zone at K's 40. K2 interferes with R1's opportunity to catch it. R chooses an awarded catch and elects to snap. On the next down: (a) A1 gains 15 yards, and B's coach is charged with an unsportsmanlike foul; (b) B2 commits pass interference; or (c) an inadvertent whistle sounds during A1's forward pass.

THE RULING

(a) The unsportsmanlike foul during the down does NOT give A another choice between snapping or free kicking.

(b) A MAY choose to snap or free kick again, following penalty enforcement.

40 of 43

CASE PLAY — 6.5.6 — A, C, E

Kick-Catching Interference — Basic Scenarios

THE PLAY

(A) K2's punt is partially blocked by R1 in or behind the neutral zone, then travels beyond it. R2 is in position to catch it, but it first touches K2's shoulder before hitting the ground, where R2 recovers it.

(C) K5, running downfield under a punt, gets hit on the helmet by the kick: (a) R1 is in position to catch it if he chooses; or (b) no R player is in position to reach the ball.

(E) While K1's punt is in flight beyond the neutral zone, R2 (a) gives a valid signal, or (b) gives no signal. The ball strikes R2's shoulder and bounces high. While the ball is still airborne, K4 pushes R2 in the chest and catches it at that spot.

THE RULING

(A) Since R1's touching is ignored, this is kick-catching interference by K2, because R2 was in position to catch the ball.

(C) In (a), K5 committed kick-catching interference. In (b), there's no foul — no receiver was in position to make the catch.

(E) In both cases, the ball is dead when K4 catches it, and there's no kick-catching interference — R2's protection ended the moment the kick touched him.

41 of 43

CASE PLAY — 6.5.6 — B, D

Kick-Catching Interference — When R Is in Position

THE PLAY

(B) K1's punt comes down over R's 15: (a) R2 is in position to catch it, or (b) all R players have moved away from where it will land. In both cases, K3 catches the ball.

(D) K1's punt is high but short. R2 runs from downfield to get in position to catch it. K2 is also moving toward the ball, or just standing there, when: (a) K2 is contacted by R2, or (b) K2 causes R2 to veer away with no actual contact. The ball hits the ground and R3 recovers.

THE RULING

(B) In (a), it's kick-catching interference — R may take the results of the play or accept a 15-yard penalty (enforced at the foul spot, or from the previous spot with a re-kick). In (b), the play is legal; the ball is dead as soon as K3 catches it, and that spot is also the spot of first touching — R puts it in play there, first and 10.

(D) K2 committed kick-catching interference in BOTH (a) and (b) — he didn't give R2 an unobstructed opportunity to catch the ball, whether or not there was actual contact. R gets the same options as in (B): results of the play, or the 15-yard penalty.

42 of 43

CASE PLAY — 6.5.7

Invalid Fair-Catch Signals

THE PLAY

(A) Fourth and 5 for K on its own 9. K1's punt is very high and short but crosses the expanded neutral zone. R1 gives an INVALID fair-catch signal at K's 20. The untouched kick hits the ground and rebounds behind the neutral zone, where K1 recovers and is downed at his own 10.

(B) During a scrimmage kick, R1 signals for a fair catch by: (a) extending and holding one arm above his head; (b) partially extending and waving one hand in front of his face; (c) fully extending and laterally waving both hands above his head, without one arm at full length; or (d) extending and laterally waving one arm at full length above his head.

THE RULING

(A) This is a post-scrimmage kick foul, and the ball belongs to R by rule. If K accepts the penalty for R's invalid-signal foul, it's R's ball on K's 25, first and 10, since the kick ended at K's 10.

(B) The signals in (a), (b), and (c) are all invalid. Only (d) — fully extending and waving one arm at full length above the head — is valid. Giving an invalid signal is a foul enforced under the post-scrimmage kick provision.

43 of 43

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Rule 6 — Key Takeaways

Free-kick and scrimmage-kick recovery rules hinge entirely on WHERE the kick is recovered — in/behind the neutral zone allows advancing; beyond it, K can only recover, never advance.

First touching by K gives R a menu of options — the spot of first touching, the results of the play, or (for kick-catching interference) a 15-yard penalty with a choice of enforcement spot.

A fair-catch signal only protects the player who gave it — a teammate making the catch instead gets no special protection, though the ball still becomes dead.

K's kick-catching interference doesn't require actual contact — denying R an unobstructed opportunity to catch the ball is enough on its own.

Touching a low kick in the expanded neutral zone is ignored for both teams — but that protection disappears the instant the kick crosses beyond it.

A kick that becomes dead in R's end zone is a touchback in virtually every case; in K's own end zone, the ruling depends entirely on who supplied the last new force and who ends up in possession.