First Touching of a Scrimmage Kick

[MBK]

If a scrimmage kick hits a player on the kicking team in the back beyond the expanded neutral zone, does that qualify as first touching? Or does first touching have to be a purposeful act such as catching, muffing or batting the ball to qualify as illegal touching by an ineligible receiver?

[CalhounLJ]

If a scrimmage kick hits a player on the kicking team in the back beyond the expanded neutral zone, does that qualify as first touching? Or does first touching have to be a purposeful act such as catching, muffing or batting the ball to qualify as illegal touching by an ineligible receiver?

It’s first touching.


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[KDJBBBJ]

I agree it is first touching if we add "grounded" scrimmage kick to the original question. 

[VALJ]

Got myself tangled between “first touching” and KCI.

[Ralph Damren]

Often first touching occurs when a bouncing kick takes an unexpected bounce and touches a K player. Intent doesn't count.

[CalhounLJ]

I agree it is first touching if we add "grounded" scrimmage kick to the original question.

[bossman72]

I’m still working my way back into rules shape, but I don’t think first touching on a scrimmage kick has anything to do with whether a kick is grounded or not. 

You can definitely have a foul for interference if there is an R player in position to be able to make the kick, but the mere act of touching in flight on a scrimmage kick doesn’t have anything to do with first touching.

MBK, “first touching” does not require a conscious action. Being touched by the ball and voluntarily touching the ball both apply.

+1

[jason]

I’m still working my way back into rules shape, but I don’t think first touching on a scrimmage kick has anything to do with whether a kick is grounded or not. 

You can definitely have a foul for interference if there is an R player in position to be able to make the kick, but the mere act of touching in flight on a scrimmage kick doesn’t have anything to do with first touching.

MBK, “first touching” does not require a conscious action. Being touched by the ball and voluntarily touching the ball both apply.

I'm sure I'm misunderstanding you, but if the SK in flight gets touched by K then we definitely have first touching. Otherwise K touches the SK in flight around midfield, the ball bounces another 30-40 yards, then K possesses the kick, and R has the ball deep in their own territory.

[VALJ]

I'm sure I'm misunderstanding you, but if the SK in flight gets touched by K then we definitely have first touching. Otherwise K touches the SK in flight around midfield, the ball bounces another 30-40 yards, then K possesses the kick, and R has the ball deep in their own territory.

Thank you - I got myself a bit tangled between first touching and KCI.  You’re absolutely right.  Still working myself into rules shape.

[Ralph Damren]

Remember, guys, if an airborne kick hits a K player beyond the expanded NZ; you have potential for KCI if a R player was in position to make a play. Once grounded, a round ball will have a true bounce. A football isn't round and doesn't always have a true bounce. BE READY!