Holder Pitching the Ball

[animalspooker]

Can't find it in the book, but the rule used to be, if a holder for an extra point must rise before pitching the ball to another player.  He could not pitch while knee was in contact with ground.  Doing this would result in an immediate dead ball.  Is this still the case?  Also, is this the same for a field goal attempt.

[NVFOA_Ump]

Can't find it in the book, but the rule used to be, if a holder for an extra point must rise before pitching the ball to another player.  He could not pitch while knee was in contact with ground.  Doing this would result in an immediate dead ball.  Is this still the case?  Also, is this the same for a field goal attempt.

That is still correct.  I'll get the specific rule reference when I have access to my books.

[animalspooker]

Thank you Sir.  And holds true for FG also, and if done on a field goal (provided it was 4th down) do you give it to R/B at the spot of the illegal pitch?

[SDR]

Try Rule 4-2-2a EXCEPTIONS 1& 2.

[NVFOA_Ump]

Try Rule 4-2-2a EXCEPTIONS 1& 2.

That's it! Thanks!

[animalspooker]

So, how about this?

If holder muffs the snap and must rise to retrieve the ball, he cannot return to his knee, but if its a bad snap that he rises to catch, he can leave his knee and then return to it legally to hold for the kick?

[NVFOA_Ump]

So, how about this?

If holder muffs the snap and must rise to retrieve the ball, he cannot return to his knee, but if its a bad snap that he rises to catch, he can leave his knee and then return to it legally to hold for the kick?

Holder can always "return" to his knee to catch an errant snap and then place ball for the subsequent scoring attempt either a try or a field goal.  That is 100% clear in the rules.  4-2-2a Exception 2.

[Fatso]

So, how about this?

If holder muffs the snap and must rise to retrieve the ball, he cannot return to his knee, but if its a bad snap that he rises to catch, he can leave his knee and then return to it legally to hold for the kick?

That's correct.  If holder muffs/fumbles the ball then rises off his knee to retrieve it, he cannot return to knee or he's down right there.

[Ted T]

Got burned on this once many years ago.  I just wasn't expecting it because "We don't have any special plays."  Since then, during the pregame conference, I ask every coach if they "have any fake placekicks?"  Whether they do or not, I usually explain why I'm asking the question.

[lawdog]

That's correct.  If holder muffs/fumbles the ball then rises off his knee to retrieve it, he cannot return to knee or he's down right there.

WRONG.  4-2-2a-2

[Fatso]

WRONG.  4-2-2a-2

YOU ARE WRONG.

4-2-2a-2 says ball remains live if he "rises and catches or recovers an errant snap and immediately returns his knee(s)"....   That is not a muff.

4-2-2a-2 NOTE says:  The ball becomes dead if the place kick holder muffs the snap or fumbles and recovers after his knees have been off the ground and he then touches the ground with other than hand or foot while in possession of the ball.


Summary:  If it's a bad snap he can rise to secure the ball, then return to knee.  If he muffs or fumbles the snap, he cannot rise to recover the ball then return to his knee.