Expert: Thom Brooks - 1/1/2009

Question
I have a questions about football kick-offs, in particular on-sides kicks.  My understanding is this: the kicking team kicks the ball. If the ball goes at least 10 yards, the kicking team is eligible to recover the ball and take possession - i.e. an on-sides kick.
However, if the kicking team kicks the ball, say, down to the 5-yard line, and the kicking team heads down field quickly enough, the kick-off receiver may decide to let the ball roll, and the coverage team may down the ball before it rolls into the end zone. In this case, the coverage team downs the ball, and the receiving team takes possession.  If an on-sides kick only needs to go at least 10 yards before the kicking team can recover and take possession, how come the kicking team can't kick it 50-60 yards and recover it and take possession?  
At what point does a kick become an on-sides kick and not just a regular kick?  There must be other criteria that distinguish these circumstances.
Thanks for your time and answer.

Answer
Martin, Happy New Year!

A number of factors are considered (First Touching by K, Offsides, Kicking ball out of bounds).  As you stated, the ball must travel 10 yards, but the K team cannot recover until 10 yards AND the ball hitting the ground.  If R calls for Fair Catch (and there is no penalty), the ball is dead.  When the ball is rolling on a punt, the ball is dead when touched by the K team.  But, not on a kickoff, unless touched by the R team.  If the ball is muffed by R, then K can recover but not advance.  I have attached the rules for both college and high school for you to review. It's complicated and even officials struggle with some of the rulings until they can huddle and talk it over.

Review the Free Kick vs. the scrimmage kick.  

I hear announcers misinterpreting the rules and understand that everyone gets them wrong from time to time.  One of my pet gripes is listening to an announcer trash an official when I know the official was accurate and the announcer is an empty suit.  


Take care and do great in this new year!



Thom Brooks





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