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Expert: - 11/28/2009


Question
If a team is kicking a field goal and upon kicking it, the ball does not reach the kicking team's goal line, is it a live ball (ie. either team can pick the ball up and advance)?
Please explain the different scenerios here (ie. if the kick is blocked vs. not blocked, etc)

Answer
Rob
Thank you for your question. Under NCAA rules a field goal that is kicked, crosses the line of scrimmage (LOS) and falls short of the goal post and the opposing team's goal line remains a live ball that can be advance by the defensive team. Whether it is blocked or not has not bearing.  The kicking team cannot advance the kick that has crossed the LOS, so if the kicking teamwere to possess the ball, it becomes dead at that spot where the kicking team possessed it.

If the FG is blocked behind the LOS, and the ball never crossed the LOS, it is a live ball that can be advanced by either team.  I hope this answers your question.  The key is where the ball crosses the LOS.

Thanks again for your question and best of luck to you,
Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official

College Football

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Vic 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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