grounded free kick

[Martin Kiff]

One of those fun summer test questions.  K kicks the ball directly into the ground where it bounces high, 15 yards down field into the waiting arms of R who before catching the grounded kick gives a proper fair catch signal.  Is there any penalty for R,  should we kill the play to protect R.  Should I read the casebook and not bother you guys?

[VALJ]

See 2-9-4-c and 6-5-7.

[HLinNC]

This was on the proposed list of changes/modifications last year I believe.  It didn't pass, obviously.

[FLAHL]

Just to clarify, we do kill the play.

“ART. 5 . . . No receiver may advance the ball after a valid or invalid fair-catch signal has been given by any R player.”

[Curious]

.....and from where, Martin, will the penalty be enforced?

[Atlanta Blue]

I'm not Martin, but foul during a loose ball play.  Previous spot enforcement.

[ajsowada]

I'm not Martin, but foul during a loose ball play.  Previous spot enforcement.

I agree for a free kick which is what I assumed based on the description of being kicked immediately into the ground. 

On a scrimmage kick beyond the enz, would it not be PSK enforcement?

[Martin Kiff]

Ok, lets say we have a short punt that bounces into the arms of R who doesn't give the fair catch signal until after the ball bounces.  Loose, previous spot.  But what about a 50 yard punt that bounces followed by IFC.  Can the delay be enforced from the dead ball spot?

[Curious]

Ok, lets say we have a short punt that bounces into the arms of R who doesn't give the fair catch signal until after the ball bounces.  Loose, previous spot. Nope; RUNNING PLAY (signal given after possession): let the play go; but the enforcement spot, if accepted by K, is where the ball was possessed

But what about a 50 yard punt that bounces followed by IFC.  Can the delay be enforced from the dead ball spot? When a SCRIMMAGE KICK is grounded followed by by an invalid fair catch signal, it (the signal) is a PSK foul enforced from the end of the kick (which would be where R possessed it - a/k/a the dead ball spot).  Unlike the play above, the signal preceded possession; so shut it down immediately).

[prab]

Ok, lets say we have a short punt that bounces into the arms of R who doesn't give the fair catch signal until after the ball bounces.  PSK? Loose, previous spot.  But what about a 50 yard punt that bounces followed by IFC.  Can you have IFC after the ball bounces?  Can the delay be enforced from the dead ball spot?

[prab]

Ok, lets say we have a short punt that bounces into the arms of R who doesn't give the fair catch signal until after the ball bounces.

I read this to say that the fair catch signal was given after the ball bounced but BEFORE it was possessed.

[Atlanta Blue]

Ok, lets say we have a short punt that bounces into the arms of R who doesn't give the fair catch signal until after the ball bounces.

I read this to say that the fair catch signal was given after the ball bounced but BEFORE it was possessed.

PSK. 

During the scrimmage kick plays, other than a try or successful field goal  - CHECK
During a scrimmage kick play in which the ball crosses the expanded neutral zone.  - CHECK
Beyond the expanded neutral zone - CHECK
Before the end of a kick.  - CHECK
And K will not be next to put the ball in play. - CHECK

[VALJ]

Can you have IFC after the ball bounces?

2-9-4: An invalid fair-catch signal is any signal by a receiver before the kick is caught or recovered:
  b.  After the kick has touched the ground.

[prab]

In my previous post, PSK? and Can you have IFC after the ball bounces? were meant to be rhetorical questions.  I will endeavor to be more clear in the future.

[VALJ]

Ah, my fault.  Since they were embedded in the quote, I wasn't sure if that was rhetorical, or just misplaced.  My bad...