Special Ball for Scrimmage Kicks

[SBEII]

Is there a rule reference for allowing teams to bring in a special Ball for Scrimmage kicks?

[bama_stripes]

They’re *supposed*  to use the same ball throughout a series of downs (1-3-2).  Officials may order the ball to be changed between downs (1-3-3).

Practically speaking, we allow them to change whenever they want (including a “kicking ball”), as long as it’s a legal ball.

[lawdog]

No such thing as a kicking ball in high school.  If they try to bring some piece of garbage ball and check it in as a kicking ball just tell them to ask their QB if he is ok playing with it for the series because he has to if they want to kick at the end of that series.  That will usually end that nonsense.

[Etref]

As a wing never changed ball till I needed one.

[NVFOA_Ump]

No such thing as a kicking ball in high school.  If they try to bring some piece of garbage ball and check it in as a kicking ball just tell them to ask their QB if he is ok playing with it for the series because he has to if they want to kick at the end of that series.  That will usually end that nonsense.

As the U I always check the ball coming in regardless of which play is next.  If it's legal it's OK, if it's not legal it's going back out, very simple.  I've got no issue with swapping out the ball as long as it's done efficiently and does not effect the pace of play.  I've got much more to handle than to worry about this.

[Tom.OH]

No such thing as a kicking ball in high school.  If they try to bring some piece of garbage ball and check it in as a kicking ball just tell them to ask their QB if he is ok playing with it for the series because he has to if they want to kick at the end of that series.  That will usually end that nonsense.

When I was young was working with an experienced R. He was given an old super smooth ball as the kicking ball. He told the QB he would be using it for the first 2 series. QB said no way. R handed the ball back to the coach and said he won't use it nether will the kicker...

[Steely Dan]

Had a game earlier this year, adult ball boy was beating us up trying to get kicking ball into the game for every punt, try, etc.  We explained during pregame, at halftime, and throughout game how we handle it but he was borderline belligerent.  Try usually isn't a big deal...

Late in the game, they score TD and we got the "kicking" ball in for them and the kid missed the try.  A few minutes later and last play of game, kid kicked a 38 yd field goal with the regular ball for the game winner.  I glanced over at my guy with a smile.

[ilyazhito]

I'm surprised that people who have been around the amateur game seriously don't know that a kicking ball is only a thing in the NFL. It is not in either the NFHS or NCAA rule sets.

[lawdog]

Had a game earlier this year, adult ball boy was beating us up trying to get kicking ball into the game for every punt, try, etc.  We explained during pregame, at halftime, and throughout game how we handle it but he was borderline belligerent.

Go to the coach.  Tell him ball boy is to bring approved ball in without comment or he will be forced to find a new one for the rest of the game.  ZERO reasons to accept any hassle from some team attendant.  ZERO!!!!!

[dammitbobby]

I'm surprised that people who have been around the amateur game seriously don't know that a kicking ball is only a thing in the NFL. It is not in either the NFHS or NCAA rule sets.

Like that's going to stop them, especially when officials don't care... I had a team complain to me one time (I was L, on their sideline, and they were getting drummed by a top 3 team) that the ball that was being kicked to them was super slick and not inflated near enough and it made it difficult for them to catch. I confirmed the ball was both of those, and hopped on the radio to tell the B that the next time the opposing team kicked off, to check their ball and send it back if it's flat and slick. They kept kicking, he kept letting them use it.  Nothing I could do except take the verbal beatdown again and again... (This kind of crap is a consequence of coaches being allowed to pick crews. it invites favoritism and corruption in hopes of getting picked for a playoff game... our chapter doesn't use set crews (except a couple who work high-level games) so only benefitted the official that kept letting it happen.

[Rich]

We simply don't allow teams to change balls during a series or on a try unless there's a weather-related reason.  And we're initiating that change normally.

Every ball that is used in the game is checked in and marked -  and inflated to the proper pressure with a digital pump.

Does that mean there could be a ball used for just free kicks?  Sure, we're using whatever checked-in ball is put under the goalposts.  Then again, if R turns it over on the kickoff, K better be prepared to use it for that series, cause we're not changing balls there either.

[GoodScout]

As the U I always check the ball coming in regardless of which play is next.  If it's legal it's OK, if it's not legal it's going back out, very simple.  I've got no issue with swapping out the ball as long as it's done efficiently and does not effect the pace of play.  I've got much more to handle than to worry about this.

I'm in this camp. I've always found the pre-game dance of "checking balls" to be silly, since a team can always alter them after my R initials them.

My favorite trick is, after asking to see the "kicking ball," ask the player "So this is the ball you want kicked to you, right?"

[Ralph Damren]

We simply don't allow teams to change balls during a series or on a try unless there's a weather-related reason.  And we're initiating that change normally.

Every ball that is used in the game is checked in and marked -  and inflated to the proper pressure with a digital pump.

Does that mean there could be a ball used for just free kicks?  Sure, we're using whatever checked-in ball is put under the goalposts.  Then again, if R turns it over on the kickoff, K better be prepared to use it for that series, cause we're not changing balls there either.

Ateam is allowed to change balls (to one of theirs) on a PAT if the TD was scored after a COP.

GO VOTE 

[Rich]

Ateam is allowed to change balls (to one of theirs) on a PAT if the TD was scored after a COP.

GO VOTE 

Of course, but that's entirely different.  We always let a team kick/snap their football, by rule.  I once worked a conference where there was a conference football and we only checked in and used the balls provided by the home team.  That was nice.

[Fatso]

I once worked a conference where there was a conference football and we only checked in and used the balls provided by the home team.  That was nice.

That's really solid, love that.

[ilyazhito]

After working both NFHS and NCAA games, I appreciate the system that is in place in college games for handling the balls. Both teams provide their balls to the officials in bags. The officials control the balls from the moment they receive them until game management retrieves them at the end of the game. The officials then test and choose 3 balls that are within specifications. There are at least 3 ball people at the game, 2 on the press box side, one on the opposite side (though 4 is ideal). Each person handles the balls for one team.

 On all changes of possession, a ball will come from the press box side. If a ball goes out of bounds on the opposite side (or ends up in the opposite side zone), the new ball will come in from the opposite side.

In HS, this can be modified by having ball people for both teams on both sidelines (one person from the away team is on the home sideline, one person from the home team is on the away sideline).

At halftime, the ball people give their team's balls to the officials. The officials will give the ball back to the ball people before the start of the 2nd half. Maybe this will not be realistic at the HS level, but the college system for ball handling makes getting new balls in the game quick and efficient.

If all balls are given to the officials before the game, with the ball people then using the approved game balls, then the officials will not have to deal with an unapproved ball entering the game.

[bama_stripes]

Having multiple ball boys for HS games is dreaming at all but the largest schools.  Especially ball boys that can follow instructions.

I got hit square in the face last Friday by a ball boy that didn’t understand what “Hand the ball to that guy” (the U) meant.  And that was in a playoff game.