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Football Officiating => National Federation Discussion => Topic started by: Derek Teigen on June 05, 2026, 06:22:48 PM

Title: Illegal batting by R during a free kick
Post by: Derek Teigen on June 05, 2026, 06:22:48 PM
Hello everyone.  I came across a website that has flash cards that give case plays and provides answers.  One of the questions describes a free kick that is muffed by R and then to prevent K from recovering the ball R bats the ball into their own end zone where a K player falls on it
the answer book says the covering official correctly blew the play dead when the ball crossed the goal line.  The answer book is saying K would decline the illegal batting of the ball as the result of the play is a safety.   Does this sound right to you?

thank you,

DT
Title: Re: Illegal batting by R during a free kick
Post by: bossman72 on June 05, 2026, 10:00:37 PM
In NFHS, this is a touchback.  The batting would be enforced at the previous spot if accepted.

That question is all kind of messed up.  We don't have a play where we blow the play dead when it enters the endzone and rule a safety.

This isn't even a safety in NCAA.  It's a touchdown (and no foul either).
Title: Re: Illegal batting by R during a free kick
Post by: Ralph Damren on June 06, 2026, 06:42:07 AM
As usual, Bossman nailed it. In NFHS , 'a kick is a kick UNTIL it is recovered or goes OOB'. In NFHS once a kick enters the EZ it is a touchback and the ball becomes dead. K can eiter take to play - TB, or the  ^flag or rekick from the 50.
Title: Re: Illegal batting by R during a free kick
Post by: bama_stripes on June 06, 2026, 08:46:28 AM
This is a perfect example of why we need to be very careful of where we get our information from — and why I’m so appreciative of this board!  tiphat: