Free Kick Situation

[JasonTX]

Team A lines up for a free kick from the A-35.  A99, the apparent kicker runs forward as if he going to kick the ball but stops just short of the ball.  Several of his teammates had ran beyond the restraining line and then retreated back behind the restraining line, when the kicker then kicks the ball downfield.  None of his teammates were beyond the retraining line when he kicked the ball.  Ruling?

[TxBJ]

By rule, no foul.  However, Steve Shaw stated sometime this year (video? document?) that this violates the spirit of the rule and should be OFK.

[JasonTX]

By rule, no foul.  However, Steve Shaw stated sometime this year (video? document?) that this violates the spirit of the rule and should be OFK.

That's what I recall and was trying to get my hands on the document or video.

[ElvisLives]

That should be in one the CFO weekly videos. It might take some time to find it, but it should be there.

[ETXZebra]

2022 NCAA Bulletin 1, play #6.

[bossman72]

That interp by Shaw puzzled me, but I guess you can be TOO offside.

[TXMike]

Bulletin attached

[dammitbobby]

Thanks for posting that... just to clarify, if A is in a normal kick formation, and still kicks the ball deep, is it still afoul if they cross, and then regroup on the correct side of the restraining line?  I don't see how that gives A an advantage.

[TXMike]

The way this reads, they will not get a chance to kick deep.   It is a dead ball offside .

[ElvisLives]

The ruling is as much about preventing silly, high school level tactics that make a travesty of the game than maintaining equity.