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Football Officiating => National Federation Discussion => Topic started by: ref4e on September 15, 2018, 09:45:48 AM

Title: Tack On...or Not?
Post by: ref4e on September 15, 2018, 09:45:48 AM
4th and 10 from the K38.    Punter K12 muffs the snap and kicks the rolling ball at the K28.   Ball goes out of bounds at the K30.

Does R have the option of accepting a 15 yard penalty from the succeeding spot, which would result in 1st and 10 from the K15?  (10-4-2 does not specifically state a LEGAL kick is required).

My personal opinion would be to say no tack-on option, but I can't find specific rules support.   Thoughts??   ???
Title: Re: Tack On...or Not?
Post by: CalhounLJ on September 15, 2018, 10:00:26 AM
No, because this is not action during a scrimmage kick or free kick down. While the word "legal" may not appear, it is certainly implied. In fact, you can't have either one without a legal kick.
Title: Re: Tack On...or Not?
Post by: js in sc on September 15, 2018, 10:03:18 AM
The definition of a scrimmage kick requires there be a "punt, drop kick, or place kick".  These kicks are defined in Rule 2-24 as to their exact nature.  Since the kicking of a muffed ball does not comply with the definition of a place kick, punt, or drop kick, it can not be called a "scrimmage kick" and therefore IMO would not fall into the "tack-on" category.  The ball is treated as a muffed ball and R can take the ball at the OOB spot, or replay the down following a penalty on K.
Title: Re: Tack On...or Not?
Post by: CalhounLJ on September 15, 2018, 10:58:46 AM
Since this was a muffed snap, technically it was a fumble by A. An illegal kick retains the status so we have a fumble OOB at the K30, leaving B in possession of the ball because A turned it over on downs. If B accepts the penalty for the illegal kick, we would back A up 15yds and replay 4th down. I’m assuming B declined the penalty and kept the ball?


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Title: Re: Tack On...or Not?
Post by: ref4e on September 16, 2018, 10:45:12 PM
That's what they did.
Title: Re: Tack On...or Not?
Post by: fcardon99 on September 17, 2018, 10:41:40 AM
What if the ball was not muffed but the kick was blocked followed by the illegal kick OOB?  Would this qualify for the tack on?