You are here:

College Football/SC vs LSU fake kick

Advertisement

Expert: - 9/24/2007


Question
In college ball, the player is considered down and the play over when the in possession player's knee touches the ground. In the fake field goal/TD in the SC vs LSU game Saturday, the holder's knee was clearly touching the ground when the holder took the snap (and also actually placed the ball on the ground momentarily), prior to lateraling the ball to the kicker who ran it in for the TD. Why was this play legal and the TD allowed?

Answer
Jim

Thank you for your question.  The play is legal.  The reason is because of Rule 4-1-3(b, exception).  This rule creates the exception to the ball being declared dead when a player's knee is down touching the ground. The exception applies only to the HOLDER when an offensive player kicks or simulates kicking the ball for a place kick (Field Goal).  By rule the ball may be advanced, kicked or passed.

In college football the holder may place his knee on the ground and the ball is not declared dead.

The rationale for this exception is because the holder is a position that holds the ball for a place kick.  After receiving the snap it would be illogical to declare the ball dead because the holder's knee was on the ground.  It would defeat the purpose of a holder and the purpose of a place kick.

The old football rules declared the ball became dead in player possession when the player was down by contact (much like the current NFL rule).  I suspect the origin of this 4-1-3(b) exception dates back to the late 1800's.  

The exact rule is (Exception: "The ball remains alive when an offensive player has simulated a kick or is in position to kick the ball held by a teammate.  The ball may be kicked, passed or advanced by rule.")

So in this play the offense is in a scrimmage kick formation (FG formation); the ball is snapped to the holder (thus the ball is held by a teammate); the offense is simulating a kick.  The ball is passed to the kicker who advances the ball for a TD.  This is a text book example of the exception to rule 4-1-3-b and similar to the rule book's interpretations Approved Ruling 4-1-3- I

I hope this answers your question.  Please feel free to follow-up or ask further questions.  Additionally it would be appreciated if you would rate this response.

Thanks again,
Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official

College Football

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Vic Winnek

Expertise

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

Organizations
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

Publications
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

Education/Credentials
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

Awards and Honors
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

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.