Expert: Vic Winnek - 10/5/2009

Question
I was watching an Ohio State game and a player dove to gain more yardage as he was going down, extending the ball forward. I then thought to myself "What would happen if another player kicked it out of his hands, regardless of what team he's on?" I looked all over the internet and couldn't find an answer and it's been bugging me for a while. Would it be a fumble or (if it was by the other team) would it be a penalty? Please help.

Answer
Jim

Thank you for your question.   This is a great question.  

If the kicking was unintentional and accidental and the ball was not dead by rule, then the kick would be ignored and an the ball would be treated as a fumble.  Please know that Fumble Rule 2 ARTICLE 1 defines a fumble as any act other than passing, kicking (the intentional striking of the ball by the foot or leg)...that results in loss of player possession. If the kicking action was accidental is is deemed not to be a kick and the action is ignored by rule.

One might think If the kicking was intentional and while the ball was live, then it would most likely be an illegal kicking of the ball; but illegal kicking comes about only if there is a kicking of a "loose ball" or if it is  is kicked while being held for a place kick.   Here is the Rule:  Illegally Kicking Ball
Rule 9 Section 4 ARTICLE 4. "A player shall not kick a loose ball, a forward pass or a ball
being held for a place kick by an opponent. These illegal acts do not change the status of the loose ball or forward pass; but if the player holding the ball for a place kick loses possession during a scrimmage down, it is a fumble and a loose ball; if during a free kick, the ball remains dead (A.R. 8-7-2- VII).     PENALTY—15 yards, plus loss of down if the loss of down is not in conflict with other rules [S31 and S9] (Exception: No loss of down if the foul occurs when a legal scrimmage kick is beyond the neutral zone.]"

Depending on the play and if the forward progress was stopped and the ball was dead, it may be an unsportsmanlike foul or an unfair act foul not specifically covered.  I believe the conferences would support and Unsportsmanlike foul.

Rule 9 SECTION 2. ARTICLE 1 defines Unsportsmanlike Conduct Fouls and Unsportsmanlike Acts as follows: There shall be no unsportsmanlike conduct or any act that interferes with orderly game administration on the part of players, substitutes, coaches, authorized attendants or any other persons subject to the rules, before the game, during the game or between periods.
a. Specifically prohibited acts and conduct include:...
2. After a score "or any other play", the player in possession immediately must return the ball to an official or leave it near the dead-ball spot. This prohibits:
(a) Kicking, throwing, spinning or carrying (including off of the field) the ball any distance that requires an official to retrieve it.

The fact that the ball is in player possession prevents it from being an illegal kicking foul but since it the defensive players kicks the ball out of the runner's hand such an act is an actions that delay the game and interferes with orderly game administration.  It also is an act that is obviously unfair and not specifically covered by the rules.  Thus it would be either an Unfair Act or Unsportsmanlike foul.


If another player kicked it out of another player's hands it would bee considered a foul and penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct or an unfair act.