Coming to a field near you soon, the drop kick KO, or not(video)

[TXMike]

I really don't see the advantage.  Unless they execute it better than this NFL kicker it is a foul as was not kicked on the restraining line (unless it was post-safety), plus the kicker will still have to give B a chance to catch it.

http://youtu.be/cSsN-fwixaY

(Edited to correct game situation info)

[InsideTheStripes]

That was, in fact, post safety.  It was after Polamalu's illegal bat (not called) in the field of play that ended up out of the back of the end zone and was ruled as a safety.  He was kicking from the 20.

[JasonTX]

The bigger issue I see is that we have 3 officials watching and ruling the kick go out of bounds.

[MJT]

That was, in fact, post safety.  It was after Polamalu's illegal bat (not called) in the field of play that ended up out of the back of the end zone and was ruled as a safety.  He was kicking from the 20.

Unless the batting rule is totally different in the NFL, that should have been an illegal bat and a touchback, not a safety.

[APG]

Unless the batting rule is totally different in the NFL, that should have been an illegal bat and a touchback, not a safety.

It would have been a 10 yard penalty enforced from the previous spot and an automatic first down

[mbyron]

The bigger issue I see is that we have 3 officials watching and ruling the kick go out of bounds.

Which NFL mechanic did they screw up? 

[RedTD]

The bigger issue I see is that we have 3 officials watching and ruling the kick go out of bounds.

I believe at least one of those flags was for the kicking team being offside.

[mbyron]

I believe at least one of those flags was for the kicking team being offside.

I don't think so. PIT put the ball in play at the 31 where the ball went out, not the 26, where enforcement of the offsides would have put it.

[clearwall]

A drop kick(ball hits the ground) does not change the status of the ball in respect to a free kick going out of bounds, correct?

[El Macman]

A drop kick(ball hits the ground) does not change the status of the ball in respect to a free kick going out of bounds, correct?

Correct. No different than having kicked it off the ground or from a tee, or punt (when used on a free kick after a safety).

[Atlanta Blue]

The reason for the drop kick is that the kicker may not use a tee on a "safety kick" (a free kick following a safety) in the NFL.  He may punt, drop kick or kick the ball from the ground.  Given that the Pats wanted to try an onside kick, they felt they could best do so with a drop kick rather than a punt (or kicking it from the ground).

The drop kick going OOB is trated the exact same as any other free kick going out of bounds.

[Hawkeye]

This drop kick went OB, but if it had remained in the field of play in the air, could we have KCI?  or does the ball contacting the ground as part of the kick constitute ot hitting the ground and remove the possibility of KCI?

[El Macman]

This drop kick went OB, but if it had remained in the field of play in the air, could we have KCI?  or does the ball contacting the ground as part of the kick constitute ot hitting the ground and remove the possibility of KCI?

Ask this question: Was the ball kicked before it struck the ground? Answer: No, it was kicked "as" it struck the ground (although, very technically, the ball probably struck the ground slightly before it was kicked). So, the ball did not strike the ground after it was kicked (at least, not until it was way out of bounds). So, it was a kick in flight, and KCI rules applied during the entire flight of the ball (by NCAA rules).
A drop kick is a way to 'place kick' the ball while it is in an upright position, without using a tee or having someone hold the ball. So, to eliminate the KCI rules, the ball would have to strike the ground AFTER it is kicked (after it is dropped).

Was it Doug Flutie that successfully drop kicked a field goal?

[Osric Pureheart]

It was.  A couple of NCAA players did it in the 90s, and Jim McMahon used to practice it and beg Ditka to let him try one in a game.

Since the NFL decided they wanted to start moving the kickoff spot forward again, I've been thinking that maybe what they should do is put it back on the midfield line where every other football code starts from, but mandate that they use drop kicks.  For comedy, if nothing else.

[Etref]

It was.  A couple of NCAA players did it in the 90s, and Jim McMahon used to practice it and beg Ditka to let him try one in a game.

Since the NFL decided they wanted to start moving the kickoff spot forward again, I've been thinking that maybe what they should do is put it back on the midfield line where every other football code starts from, but mandate that they use drop kicks.  For comedy, if nothing else.

No need to move the location of the kick. Just limit the kicker to 2-3 steps before kicking like in a EP or FG. He will not kick it as far. Also limit the kicking team to a 5 yard run up to the ball. Maybe it will slow them down a little and there will be less injuries.



 

[Atlanta Blue]

No need to move the location of the kick. Just limit the kicker to 2-3 steps before kicking like in a EP or FG. He will not kick it as far. Also limit the kicking team to a 5 yard run up to the ball. Maybe it will slow them down a little and there will be less injuries.



 

The second of your suggestions was already added as an NFL rule this year (6-1-3a)

As for the KCI or the ball touching the ground and going 10 yards, neither are NFL rules.

In the NFL, the only requirement is that the ball be past the plane of R's restraining line.  If it is, it is a free ball, equally available to either team.  It need not have hit the ground.

As for TxMike's original comment of not seeing the advatage, the issue lies in the NFL rule that says no tee may be used on safety kicks.  Your options are a punt, a drop kick, or set the ball on the ground.  Given that they wanted an onside kick, the drop kick was probably the best option.

I understand this is an NCAA board, but the discussion is around an NFL kick, and too many NCAA rules are being applied.  This is an area where the NFL differs greatly.

[InsideTheStripes]

As for the KCI or the ball touching the ground and going 10 yards, neither are NFL rules.

In the NFL, the only requirement is that the ball be past the plane of R's restraining line.  If it is, it is a free ball, equally available to either team.  It need not have hit the ground.

I understand this is an NCAA board, but the discussion is around an NFL kick, and too many NCAA rules are being applied.  This is an area where the NFL differs greatly.

You sure about that AB?  That's what seems to be indicated in Rule 6, but...

Doesn't 10-1-1 (Opportunity to Catch a Kick, Fair Catch - INTERFERENCE) state that during a free kick members of the kicking team are "prohibited from interfering with any receiver making an attempt to catch the airborne kick, or from obstructing or hindering his path to the airborne kick"?

[APG]

The second of your suggestions was already added as an NFL rule this year (6-1-3a)

As for the KCI or the ball touching the ground and going 10 yards, neither are NFL rules.

In the NFL, the only requirement is that the ball be past the plane of R's restraining line.  If it is, it is a free ball, equally available to either team.  It need not have hit the ground.

As for TxMike's original comment of not seeing the advatage, the issue lies in the NFL rule that says no tee may be used on safety kicks.  Your options are a punt, a drop kick, or set the ball on the ground.  Given that they wanted an onside kick, the drop kick was probably the best option.

I understand this is an NCAA board, but the discussion is around an NFL kick, and too many NCAA rules are being applied.  This is an area where the NFL differs greatly.

There can be KCI on a free kick that is airborne (10-1-1).

[Atlanta Blue]

You sure about that AB?  That's what seems to be indicated in Rule 6, but...

Doesn't 10-1-1 (Opportunity to Catch a Kick, Fair Catch - INTERFERENCE) state that during a free kick members of the kicking team are "prohibited from interfering with any receiver making an attempt to catch the airborne kick, or from obstructing or hindering his path to the airborne kick"?

You're right.  While there is no requirement for the ball to hit the ground before recovery, KCI can be called on the kicking team if the kick is still airborne.

And I think that should be stated in rule 6!