After reading the definition of a free kick and reading up on rule 6-1-1 and 6-1-2, would I be correct in saying the following:
A free kick is a kick, other than a punt or field goal (Kick after a safety) (2-16-5)
Scrimmage kicks are punts and field goals (2-16-7)
Just wanting to make sure I got this right as a clock operator.
More accurately, a free kick is either a kickoff, or a free kick after a safety. On a kickoff, the
type of kick may be a place kick (ball kicked while resting on the ground, or on a tee) or a drop kick (ball kicked as it strikes the ground after being purposely dropped by a player in possession of the ball). The type of kick may NOT be a punt (ball kicked before it touches the ground, after being purposely dropped by a player in possession).
On a free kick after a safety, the
type of kick may be a place kick, a drop kick, or a punt. But, for clock operation purposes, the GCO and PCO only need to know that it is a free kick - period - and free kick timing rules apply, regardless of which type of kick is used. The play clock is always set to 25 seconds and will start on the referee's signal.
After the ball is dead at the end of any free kick down, the game clock will next start on the succeeding snap (other than a try), or per free kick rules if the next down is a free kick. Unless there is some type of administrative stoppage, the play clock should be set to 40 seconds and started 'automatically' by the PCO, when he sees a signal indicating the ball has become dead with the free kick down (with the philosophical breath, pause, and then start the clock). If in doubt, it doesn't hurt a thing to start the 40 second clock, and let the on-field crew 'fix' it, if it needs to be fixed. That's why the PCO, in particular must pay full attention at all times during a game.
Similar for a scrimmage kick on a regular scrimmage down (versus a try down). A legal scrimmage kick is any one of the three types of kicks (place kick, drop kick, or punt) made WHEN a scrimmage kick is permitted. Again, the GCO and PCO need only to know that there was a scrimmage kick made - it doesn't matter what type. The game clock will next start on the succeeding snap (other than a try), or per free kick rules if the next down is a free kick. The play clock is dependent upon what type the succeeding down will be. If a regular scrimmage down, it will be 25 seconds and will start on the referee's signal. If a try, it will be 40 seconds and will be started 'automatically' by the PCO, when he sees a signal indicating the ball has become dead on the touchdown.
