Expert: Thom Brooks - 11/12/2008

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, hello!

The kicker is considered to become a runner ones he tucks the ball and generally moves 5 yards or so or becomes a runner.  It's sometimes a judgment call for the official but your example sounds like it would not have been a penalty for roughing the kicker.  I have attached the NCAA rules and you can review.  The official does not want the kicker to be injured, especially when they're in that unprotected position, but when they leave the pocket they usually waive that protection.

Take care,


Thom Brooks




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http://www.ncaapublications.com/Uploads/PDF/Football_Rulesadc982b5-03fb-4e27-828... c2d26b95e6c1.pdfhttp://www.ncaa.org/library/rules/2006/2006_football_rules.pdf