Kicks

[NVFOA_Ump]

Is there any exceptions to the "If a kick breaks the plane of R's end zone the ball is dead by rule" statement?  And related, does the statement apply to all kicks (free kicks, scrimmage kicks, and trys)?

[bama_stripes]

Is there any exceptions to the "If a kick breaks the plane of R's end zone the ball is dead by rule" statement?  And related, does the statement apply to all kicks (free kicks, scrimmage kicks, and trys)?

No and Yes.

FED makes this very simple, if you remember that “A kick is a kick is a kick.”

[Ralph Damren]

Several times returning kicks from the end zone has been proposed, but with not much traction. The tricky one is the kick that is muffed around in the field of play and finally into R's EZ. It remains a kick and becomes a TB once it breaks the goal line plane.

[AlUpstateNY]

No and Yes.

FED makes this very simple, if you remember that “A kick is a kick is a kick.”

Perhaps the most definitive rule in the NFHS code, NFHS: 2-24-2: " A kick ENDS when a player GAINS POSSESSION(as defined in 2-34-1) or WHEN THE BALL BECOMES DEAD while not in player possession."

Those two reasons ALONE, end a kick.  Touching, muffing, batting, striking, kicking (intentional or accidental) or otherwise interacting with a "Kick" (as defined in 2-24-1) DO NOT change the status of a "A kick is a kick is a kick.”.

[Ump33]

Don't forget 2-13-4a ... Force is not a factor on kicks going into R's end zone, since these kicks are always a touchback regardless of who supplied the force.

[NVFOA_Ump]

Thanks for the clear confirmation. For us "new" FED officials here in MA this, while a pretty straightforward rule, is a bit hard to grasp given our many years with the NCAA version.   

[ncwingman]

Flypoop in the pepper nitpicking, one would argue the only exception is a field goal or try -- where the ball is not immediately dead crossing the plane of the goal line prior to it crossing through the uprights to score. But that's relatively obvious.

However, a field goal attempt that crosses the goal line but does not score is a touchback, and any kick try that is obviously unsuccessful is dead even if it doesn't cross the goal line (B/R cannot score on a try and the ball is dead if B/R gains possession, which is also a change from NCAA)

[NVFOA_Ump]

.......... and any kick try that is obviously unsuccessful is dead even if it doesn't cross the goal line (B/R cannot score on a try and the ball is dead if B/R gains possession, which is also a change from NCAA)

If a kick try is blocked and does not cross the goal line (remains behind the NZ) doesn't A/K still have an opportunity to recover and score a 2 point try?

[AlUpstateNY]

If a kick try is blocked and does not cross the goal line (remains behind the NZ) doesn't A/K still have an opportunity to recover and score a 2 point try?

NO.  NFHS 8-3-2 "The Try begins when the ball is marked RFP. It ENDS when: (b) It is apparent a drop kick or place kick will not score.

Case Book (8.3.2. Situation B:  "The Try and Down ENDED when the attempted place kick was blocked and it was obvious the kick would not score. The covering official should his whistle IMMEDIATELY when it is apparent the kick will not score (NFHS: 4-2-2-i)

[bama_stripes]

NVFOA, here’s another mantra for officiating FG attempts in FED rules:
“A field goal is just a punt that can score points.”

[Ralph Damren]

Guys, be sure to remind your self and crew that a botched FG attempt stays alive. It's tempting to handle a blocked FG as a blocked PAT and kill it. If you do, that becomes inadvertent whistle , and IWs never have a happy ending. Remember, too, that a missed FG - being like a punt - is treated like such, not returned to previous spot as NCAA.

[VALJ]

Guys, be sure to remind your self and crew that a botched FG attempt stays alive. It's tempting to handle a blocked FG as a blocked PAT and kill it. If you do, that becomes inadvertent whistle , and IWs never have a happy ending. Remember, too, that a missed FG - being like a punt - is treated like such, not returned to previous spot as NCAA.

We as a crew give each other the false start/illegal formation signal on a field goal attempt, and verbally remind each other, to try and avoid the IW. 

[HLinNC]

Since I will move in some on a scoring kick since the LJ always goes back under the goal in our area,  I will tell myself and the WH "We're live, we're live!" prior to the snap if it is an FGA.