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College Football/Kicking loose football

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Expert: - 9/11/2006


Question
In the Ohio State VS Texas fooball game Texas fumbled the ball but an Ohio State player kicked the loose ball. I don't know if it was intentional or not. I remembered years ago that it was a penalty loss of ball. There fore Texas would keep the ball at the spot of the kick.

Answer
George Thanks for the question.  I did not see the game as I was on the field elsewhere. You are correct - it is a foul to [intentionally] kick a loose ball. And it would be a loss of down on a fumble play if Texas had kicked the ball. You recollection is correct.

As to the spot, the penalty would be enforced 15 yrds. from the basic spot. The spot depends on several factors: who recovered the ball; where did the foul occur in relation to the snap, the fumble and the recovery or end of the related run.

The rule you recall is 9-4-4 Illegally Kicking the Ball and it states that a" a player shall  not kick a loose ball..." It is a 15 yrd penalty; and loss of down provided the rule is not in conflict with other rules or provided the loose ball was not a scrimmage kick beyond the neutral zone.  The rule 2-15-1 defines Kicking as the intentional striking the ball with leg/foot.  Thus we will ignore any kicking of the ball that is not intentional.

So in the play you describe Texas fumbled the ball - the ball is now loose. If the Ohio St play intentionally kicked the ball it is a foul from the basic spot and loss of down.  If the ball was struck by the Ohio St. player's leg/foot by accident or without intent to kick then there is NO Foul.  I also assume this was not an A-B-A type play where Ohio St, was the team to have put the ball into play first.

I hope this answers your question. It is probably more information that you wanted, but you are correct in your thinking.

Thanks for the question,

Vic Winnek
Football Official

PS if you would be so kind as to rate this reply AllExperts and I would be greatful.  Also please feel free to post follow-up questions or ask additional questions throughout the year.

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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.

Experience

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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Past President of Calif. Football Officials Assoc; Western Collegiate Football Officials Assoc.; CFOA-Long Beach Unit Board of Directors CFOA-South Bay Unit & Long Beach Unit, Pres. Executive Council of Calif. Football Officials Assoc.; CIF Presidents' Council on Officiating; Chairman Ethics Committee

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Referee Magazine; California Football Officials Assoc. Instructor's Guide; NACC Div. 1-AA football officials' clinic; CFOA instrutional materials; Articles written: Line of Scrimmage mechanics, Forward Progress, Side Line Warnings, 2006 NCAA New Timing Rules; various instructional materials, UWLA Law Review

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BA USC 1987
JD UWLA School of Law 1996
3 Years Reno Football Officials Clinic
4 Years UCLA Football Officials Camp Big 12 Mini Clinic NFL Grass Roots Clinic Aloha Clinic, Honolulu, HI West Coast Alliance Clinic

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NCAA Div. 1 FCS & Div. III, 9 post season Bowl Games, play-offs, CIF Div. 1,2,3,5,8,9,10,12 Final, 10 years CIF Semi-finals, 19 years of CIF play-offs, California State High School Football Div. 1 Championship, Southern California Jr. College Championship, NCAA Div. III Semi-Final

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