Roughing the Kicker/Holder

[dalyt619]

I have been on the short side of a discussion with my entire association concerning the interpretation of the roughing the kicker/holder rule.  I would refer you to page 55-56 of the 2015/16 Football Handbook which states: a player becomes a kicker when his knee, lower leg or foot make contact with the ball.  Up until that moment, he is a runner...he may be tackled. (p.55) See also exceptions 1-4 on p. 56. 

Apparently, last week, one of our referees called running into the kicker when a defensive player hit him before (yes, before) the kick was made.  It was not enough contact to warrant a personal foul of any type.  Our association discussed the play, and our entire contingent felt he made the proper call.  I felt they were all 5 cans short of a six-pack.  I cited the above from page 55-56 of the Football Handbook and still failed to convince them.  Our chapter interpreter supposedly called the state interpreter and said that the state guy backed up that ruling  (the one with which I vehemently disagreed).  Am I missing something or are these guys all way off base?

[NoVaBJ]

Always better to cite a rule reference as opposed to the Handbook any day. That said, assuming NF rules, the player is not a kicker until ball meets knee or below. 2-32-8.

If he's not a kicker, 9-4-5 cannot apply.

As you describe the situation, you are correct.

[ReverendRef]

You are correct -- a player does not become a kicker until s/he actually kicks the ball.  By their logic, you would never be able to tackle a punter on a fake punt because that would be "roughing the kicker."

Continuing their logic . . . if a kicker is a kicker simply by position (which it sounds like they are arguing), then a passer is a passer by position and ...... wait for it ..... any QB sack would be worthy of a flag for "roughing the passer," rather than after he has actually thrown the ball as defined by rule.