Leaping

[BoBo]

OK just want to keep it simple if that is possible.

On a FG attempt anyone who is on the line of scrimmage at the snap may leap or attempt to leap over someone to try and block the kick, if they land on a teammate or opponent this action is legal.

Same scenario but the defensive player is lined up beyond, 1 yard or more from the line of the scrimmage. Now if the try to leap my understanding is they have to land on their own. They can not land on a teammate or opponent.

Whet if a player starts 3 yards from the LOS and goes forward toward the LOS then leaps and lands on another player? 15 yards personal foul auto first down.

THE SCENARIO IN QUESTION DEFENSE IS 3 YARDS AND RUNS TO THE LOS/NEUTRAL ZONE THEN LEAPS CAN HE NOW LAND ON ANOTHER PLAYER FROM EITHER TEAM WITHOUT PENALTY?

[mishatx]

How is your third scenario different than your second scenario?

[BoBo]

Probably did not explain clear enough sorry.

There is some discussion that even tho a player starts beyond the neutral zone more than one yard he can come up to the neutral zone aka LOS and leap up and forward and without penalty land on a teammate or opponent.

I disagree with this. Once the player is more than one yard off the neutral zone/LOS if he leaps must land on his. He can not land on a teammate opponent. If he goes forward it is ok as long as he does not land on anyone.

[RunRickyRun]

The depth from which the player comes (anywhere beyond 1 yard from neutral zone) is irrelevant.  If he jumps from within or beyond (offensive side) of NZ he is legal.  If he jumps from a position short of the NZ and lands on anyone he has committed a foul.

[Kalle]

There are two separate requirements:

1) A player aligned stationary and at most a yard from the LOS at the snap may leap from beyond, within or behind the NZ and land on somebody (9-1-11-b-1).

2) Other players may only leap from within or behind the NZ and land on somebody (9-1-11-b-2).

In your original scenario, if the leap starts from within the NZ, it is always legal, no matter where the player was at the snap.

[pbross79]

Another question. Would it still be a foul for leaping if there is no kick or attempted kick?  As in a fake PAT or FG.

[Kalle]

Another question. Would it still be a foul for leaping if there is no kick or attempted kick?  As in a fake PAT or FG.

An interesting question. The rule language implies that a kick is required, but this is a safety foul, so I'd be inclined to say that it is still a foul even if there is no kick.

[NVFOA_Ump]

Don't we also have to adhere to 9-1-11-c as well (new for 2013)?

No defensive player who is inside the tackle box may try to block a punt by leaving his feet in an attempt to leap directly over an opponent.

1. It is not a foul if the player tries to block the punt by jumping straight up without attempting to leap over the opponent.
2. It is not a foul if a player attempts to leap through or over the gap between players.

[RunRickyRun]

Don't we also have to adhere to 9-1-11-c as well (new for 2013)?

No defensive player who is inside the tackle box may try to block a punt by leaving his feet in an attempt to leap directly over an opponent.

1. It is not a foul if the player tries to block the punt by jumping straight up without attempting to leap over the opponent.
2. It is not a foul if a player attempts to leap through or over the gap between players.

I believe this was added to specifically apply to the wall of backs protecting the punter that have become more prevalent in recent years.  It is a safety issue, but applies to defenders that are already in the backfield.  Neither the NZ, nor players near the NZ, would be involved in 9-1-11-c.

[NVFOA_Ump]

IMO the rule is pretty clear as written, once a defender steps across into the tackle box it applies.  The wording " ... inside the tackle box ... " isn't limited to landing on the backs in the blocking wall although it certainly includes them.  The original question part one stated that anyone "who is on the line of scrimmage at the snap may leap" etc.  That statement is incorrect.  If it were worded "who is on the line of scrimmage at the snap may leap and leaps without entering the tackle box" he would be OK.

[TxSkyBolt]

The rule applies to leaping the shield...there is plenty of evidence of that.  Look back at the play situations and new rule scenarios of that time.