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21

National Federation Discussion / Re: Interesting play from this past weekend - Illegal kicking during free kick down.

« Last post by dch on September 02, 2026, 05:49:56 PM »

my 10.4.2b says foul that occurs behind the line of scrimmage during a loose-ball play.  This situation is a loose-ball play during a free kick down, therefore no line of scrimmage.
I am also confused about 10.4.4a that says the basic-spot is the spot of the foul for illegal kicking.

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National Federation Discussion / Re: Interesting play from this past weekend - Illegal kicking during free kick down.

« Last post by NVFOA_Ump on September 02, 2026, 12:33:47 PM »

More specifically 10.4.2.b in the 2026 rule book IMHO is the applicable rule here.  We have a free kick, therefore a loose ball play, as described in the OP.

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National Federation Discussion / Re: Interesting play from this past weekend - Illegal kicking during free kick down.

« Last post by bossman72 on September 02, 2026, 12:32:39 PM »

This play brings up an interesting conundrum: FED wants to eliminate the repeating of free kicks as much as possible to reduce potential injuries.  Yet in this play, K’s only viable option is a rekick after the 10-yard mark off.

Should rule 2-24-2 be modified so that a free kick ends when the kick comes to rest in the field of play, even if players are attempting to possess it?  This would allow R to be fairly penalized on this play.

For as infrequently as this happens, it's not worth the effort of a rule change, IMO.

Otherwise you'd have to go to the NCAA rule where kicks are not immediately dead when breaking the plane.

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National Federation Discussion / Re: Interesting play from this past weekend - Illegal kicking during free kick down.

« Last post by dch on September 02, 2026, 12:30:45 PM »

my 10.4.2 doesn't say anything about a foul beyond the line of scrimmage during a loose ball play.

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National Federation Discussion / Re: Interesting play from this past weekend - Illegal kicking during free kick down.

« Last post by Steely Dan on September 02, 2026, 11:50:21 AM »

Help me, help me, help me.  I fully agree with SJ's initial response.  But, and this is a big BUT for me.  Rule 10-4-4-a  says the basic spot is the spot of the foul for illegal batting or illegal kicking.  Of course, there is no mention as to where the actual enforcement spot is.

10-4-4-a discusses illegal kicking or illegal batting fouls by A that occur behind the basic spot. Basically, the enforcement can be from spot of foul behind the line of scrimmage whereas almost all other A fouls behind the LOS are previous spot.  The example in the OP is a foul on R.

And I still can't find an actual rule statement that tells me where to enforce a loose-ball foul beyond the line (or in this case beyond the spot of the free kick).  Lots of info about running plays but nothing I can find re loose-ball plays

 

10-4-2

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National Federation Discussion / Re: Rule 8 Editorial Changes

« Last post by NVFOA_Ump on September 02, 2026, 11:28:51 AM »

There was a lengthy discussion with Mass (MIAA) to stay with existing wording, however they (MIAA the governing body) went with the change.
The word is the digital case book has the changed wording. Does anyone have a digital copy to share?

The complete document that was posted this week is attached here. Also FYI the MIAA link to download the document directly is:  overtime-resolving-tied-games-miaa-football-final.pdf

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National Federation Discussion / Re: Rule 8 Editorial Changes

« Last post by toma on September 02, 2026, 10:18:56 AM »

There was a lengthy discussion with Mass (MIAA) to stay with existing wording, however they (MIAA the governing body) went with the change.
The word is the digital case book has the changed wording. Does anyone have a digital copy to share?

28

National Federation Discussion / Re: Interesting play from this past weekend - Illegal kicking during free kick down.

« Last post by bama_stripes on September 02, 2026, 05:20:32 AM »

This play brings up an interesting conundrum: FED wants to eliminate the repeating of free kicks as much as possible to reduce potential injuries.  Yet in this play, K’s only viable option is a rekick after the 10-yard mark off.

Should rule 2-24-2 be modified so that a free kick ends when the kick comes to rest in the field of play, even if players are attempting to possess it?  This would allow R to be fairly penalized on this play.

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National Federation Discussion / Re: Interesting play from this past weekend - Illegal kicking during free kick down.

« Last post by dch on September 01, 2026, 05:31:13 PM »

Help me, help me, help me.  I fully agree with SJ's initial response.  But, and this is a big BUT for me.  Rule 10-4-4-a  says the basic spot is the spot of the foul for illegal batting or illegal kicking.  Of course, there is no mention as to where the actual enforcement spot is.
And I still can't find an actual rule statement that tells me where to enforce a loose-ball foul beyond the line (or in this case beyond the spot of the free kick).  Lots of info about running plays but nothing I can find re loose-ball plays.  WTF !

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National Federation Discussion / Re: Interesting play from this past weekend - Illegal kicking during free kick down.

« Last post by Steely Dan on September 01, 2026, 01:53:00 PM »

Things that help to remember....

(1) A kick is a kick UNTIL it goes OOB or possession is gained.

(2) A kick is dead once it goes into'out of EZ =TB.

(3) No PSK enforcement on free kicks.

(4) RED SOX FOR AL FLAG 

Same scenario but it's a punt instead of a kick off --> now it can be enforced from the spot of the foul (psk), 1st and 10 for R at their own 1/2 yard line correct?  No option for K to rekick.