Expert: Vic Winnek - 11/14/2008

Question
QUESTION: If a punter mishandles a snap or takes off running because of the pressure on him, and he tucks the ball under his arm and as he is running he gets within five yards of the sideline and three yards from the line a scrimmage and pulls up to punt the football and is tackled just as he is punting it or just after it leaves his foot would this be roughing punter or not.

Thank you.


ANSWER: Ron,
Thanks for your question.  The simple way to analyze and understand your play situation is to understand that a Kicker who is in the act of kicking or has just completed a kick and he has not yet regained his position with both feet firmly on the ground (not yet reasonable time to regain his balance) gets special protection as a Kicker.

A punter who is running with the ball and it is not obvious he is about to kick the ball or that a kick is imminent does not get special protection as a kicker - he gets the same protection as any runner [ball carrier].

In your play the punter is running with the ball.  While running he is a runner and not a kicker and he can be tackled, blocked, etc.  As the runner "pulls up to punt the football" you start to get into a very Gray or subjective area.  It is at this point the player's designation may begin to change from runner to kicker.  If it is obvious he is about to kick and is starting the act or process of kicking the ball, then he becomes a kicker.

On these plays where the punter runs and kicks or does a rugby style run and kick the window that affords the player the special protection is limited.

In your play you state the punter is "tackled just as he is punting".  In this situation he is in the act of a scrimmage kick (punt) therefore he is given the protection afforded a kicker.  If he is tacked just as the ball leaves the kicker's foot, the would still be afforded the protection.  Thus the tackle is likely a personal foul for Roughing the Kicker

The NCAA rule (Rule 9-1-4) states:
When it is obvious that a scrimmage kick will be made, no
opponent shall run into or rough the kicker or the holder of a place kick (A.R. 5-2-2-I and A.R. 9-1-4-I, III and VI).

1. Roughing is a personal foul that endangers the kicker or holder.

2. Running into the kicker or holder is a foul that occurs when the
kicker or holder is displaced from his kicking or holding position but is not roughed (A.R. 9-1-4-II).

3. Incidental contact with a kicker or holder is not a foul.

4. The kicker and holder must be protected from injury, but contact
that occurs when or after a scrimmage kick has been touched is not
roughing or running into the kicker or holder.

5. The kicker of a scrimmage kick loses protection as a kicker when he has had a reasonable time to regain his balance (A.R. 9-1-4-IV).

6. A defensive player legally blocked into the kicker or holder by a
member of the kicking team is not exempt from fouls for running into
or roughing the kicker or holder. A defensive player illegally blocked into the kicker or holder by a member of the kicking team is exempt from fouls for running into or roughing the kicker or holder.

7. When a player, other than one who blocks a scrimmage kick, runs
into or roughs the kicker or holder, it is a foul.

8. When in question whether the foul is “running into’’ or “roughing,’’ the foul is “roughing.’’

The official NCAA interpretation under AR 9-1-4-V provides the following example:  Kicker A1, in a scrimmage kick formation, moves laterally two or three steps to recover a faulty snap, or recovers a snap that went over his head and then kicks the ball. He is contacted by B2 in an unsuccessful attempt to block the kick. RULING: A1 does not automatically lose his protection in either case. A1 is entitled to protection as in any other kicking situation. When it becomes obvious that A1 intends to kick (in a normal punting position), defensive players must avoid him.

I hope this explains the situation for you.

Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I guess I am a little confused only since when the punter is running with the football he is considered a runner and is being chased by would be tacklers and he pulls up suddenly to make a half fast kick, is this a judgment call or because he is kicking he gets automatic protection. It seems to me that the rule is expecting a lot for a person to pull up when chasing someone full speed. So I guess my follow up question is whether this is a judgment call or automatic protection no matter how a punter pulls up to kick the football.
Thank you for your help in understanding this situation.  

Answer
Ron
It is a little of both.  It is subjective and objective in nature.  
The official will afford the kicker the special protection while he kicks because by rule a kicker is the player who kicks the ball.  When he runs with the ball he is a runner.  The defense has to respect this or it faces a personal foul for roughing the kicker.  A player who is in the act of kicking is too vulnerable to injury if contacted/tackled, that is why he gets special protection (same as the snapper, holder and passer).  Hence the official will need to use his judgement in reading the action of the players when deciding to call a foul or not.  Also know that officials are to error on the side of caution in such a situation to protect the kicker.

Unfortunately the defensive player must react to the actions of the kicker so that when he begins the act of kicking the defensive player must "pull up".