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College Football/Ungrounded Free Kicks under NCAA Code

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Expert: - 10/21/2008


Question
Vic,
Can K catch an ungrounded kickoff that goes beyond R's restraining line?  R had anticipated the onside kick and moved everyone up, but the intillegent front linemen blocked when the ball went over his head and K ran under it to make the catch in the air before the second line could get near it to catch it or signal for a fair catch.  Is this first touchning and R's ball or is it K's ball?
Thanks

Answer
Al
K may catch the kick - the restriction is not as broad as under the high school rules, but R can not be attempting to catch it nor can R be in position to reasonable catch it - if so then it is illegal touching [not first touching - first touching is a high school football rules term].  Of course the ball must have traveled at least 10 yards.

You use broad terms such as "went over his head", "before the second line could get near it to catch it" - I understand your description but the play is left open to subjective decisions from the officials. Solely on you description and without seeing the play, it sounds as though it should be K's ball at the spot where the Free Kick was recovered.  It is not an illegal touch (and there is no 1st touching under the NCAA Rules, it is a term under the Federation rules).  Had R attempted to catch the ball, was in the near vicinity to make the catch or had there been a fair catch signal-no mater how slight it would have been an illegal touch and R would have had the choice to take the ball at the illegal touching spot.

Victor Winnek

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Will Answer all queries RE: Rules of Football - NCAA & Federation; Officiating; Instruction on Football; Mechanics & application of rules; Setting up Instructional programs and clinics for: Officials, coaches and media; Liability Issues (Legal & Insurance questions)arising from coaching, playing, refereeing, product liability. Serve as an Consultant and Expert Witness in Football Related Matters in Tort and Contract (Standard of Care for: officials, coaches, players, assignors, BOD; Player, equipment, field & stadium Safety; Fee issues, independant contractor workers compensation. History of the College football game -its evolution. MY PURPOSE IS TO INFORM & EDUCATE FANS, MEDIA, THOSE INTERESTED IN FOOTBALL ABOUT: THE RULES, THEIR APPLICATION, PHILOSOPHIES; OFFICIATING; LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVING FOOTBALL. I WILL NOT RESPOND TO BASHING OF TEAMS, COACHES OR OFFICIALS. I will not dignify rude or disparaging comments with a response, nor entertain questions that use profanity or questions that suggest Football officials are corupt, such an insinuation is ridiculous and ludicrous.

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24 years officiating High School & College football, NCAA Referee, Umpire, Back Judge & Line Judge 2 years Arena Football-substitution official Instructor of NCAA & Federation Officials, Played prep and college football; coached High School football; Athletic trainer; 23 years of instruction in Officiating Football

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