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College Football/Roughing the kicker

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Expert: - 12/1/2007


Question
I read your answer on this but that leads to another question. When the kicker starts running with the ball to execute a rugby style kick is he still protected by the roughing the kicker rules? Or, do other rules, like those concerning a runner, come into play?

Answer
Watson
Excellent question and one that has been struggled with and a source of concern for officials over the past 6 or so years.  A rugby style kicker presents some difficulty in the application of the equity of the rules.  He still gets the same protection as a kicker but the window in which it applies is greatly narrowed because of the fact hat he is a run threat to the defense.  Thus the same rules concerning a runner applies while he is running the ball.  While he runs the ball he is not a part of the special class of players who get special protection (i.e. snapper, passer, holder, kicker).  When the rugby style kicker start the act of kicking he then gets the special protection of a kicker and that special protection terminates when his kicking action is over.

Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official

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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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