2012 Rule Changes - Kick Catch Interference and Shield Leaping - Play Sits

[TXMike]

From CFO


2012: RULES CHANGES—PLAY SITUATIONS KICK-CATCH INTERFERENCE
1. Punt receiver B44 is at the B-30 in position to catch a punt. He does not signal for a fair catch. Downfield to cover the kick, A88 times his approach so that he and the ball arrive at approximately the same time. Before B44 touches the kick, A88 is directly in front and within one yard of B44. A88 (a) makes contact; (b) does not make contact with B44. RULING: (a) and (b) Foul for interference with B44’s opportunity to catch the kick. A88 has violated the new rule that prohibits him from being within one yard directly in front of B44 before B44 touches the ball. 15 yards from the spot of the foul, first and 10 for Team B at the B-45.

2. Punt receiver B44 is at the B-30 in position to catch a punt. He does not signal for a fair catch. Downfield to cover the kick, A88 passes close to the side of B44 so that he is within one yard and even with but not directly in front of B44 before he touches the ball. B44 does not have to adjust his position and catches the ball. RULING: No foul. A88 does not get in front of B44 and thus is not inside the defined one-yard area before B44 touches the ball. The ball remains alive until B44 is tackled or the ball otherwise becomes dead.

3. Punt receiver B44 is at the B-30 in position to catch a punt. He does not signal for a fair catch. Downfield to cover the kick, A88 passes close to the side of B44 so that he is within one yard and even with but not directly in front of B44 before he touches the ball. B44 must move to one side to get to the ball which he catches or muffs. RULING: Foul for kick-catch interference. A88 has not violated the new rule; but because his presence near B44 causes B44 to adjust his position, A88 has interfered with the opportunity under the rule that has been in place for many years. 15 yards from the spot of the foul, first and 10 for Team B at the B-45.
 
4. Punt receiver B44 is at the B-30 in position to catch a punt. He does not signal for a fair catch. Downfield to cover the kick, A88 is standing behind and within one yard of B44 before B44 touches the ball. RULING: No foul. A88 does not get in front of B44 and thus is not inside the defined one-yard area before B44 touches the ball. The ball remains alive until B44 is tackled or the ball otherwise becomes dead.

5. Punt receiver B44 is at the B-30 in position to catch a punt. He does not signal for a fair catch. Downfield to cover the kick, A88 is within one yard and directly in front of B44 before the ball arrives, but A88 does not make contact. B44 muffs the kick and A22 recovers at the B-25. RULING: Foul for interference with B44’s opportunity to catch the kick. A88 has violated the new rule that prohibits him from being within one yard directly in front of B44 before B44 touches the ball. 15 yards from the spot of the foul, first and 10 for Team B at the B-45.

6. Punt receiver B44 is at the B-30 in position to catch a punt. He does not signal for a fair catch. Downfield to cover the kick, A88 launches and targets B44 at the neck with his forearm just slightly before B44 touches the kick. Receiving team player B33 recovers the ball and returns it to the 50-yard line. RULING: Foul by A88 for interference with the opportunity to catch the kick. In addition, because of the nature of the contact A88 has committed a foul for targeting a defenseless player under Rule 9- 1-4. The 15-yard targeting penalty is enforced at the succeeding spot. First and 10 for Team B at the A-35. If the officials deem that A88’s foul is flagrant he shall be disqualified.

LEAPING OVER THE SHIELD ON PUNTS

7. Team A is in punt formation at the A-25. Kicking team players A34, A45, and A15 form a shield a few yards in front of the punter. Defensive tackle B77 rushes forward, and in an attempt to block the kick he leaves his feet to try and jump directly over A15. RULING: Personal foul for attempting to leap over the shield. 15-yard penalty, previous spot, plus an automatic first down for Team A.

8. Team A is in punt formation at the A-25. Kicking team players A34, A45, and A15 form a shield a few yards in front of the punter. Defensive tackle B77 rushes forward, and in an attempt to block the kick he leaves his feet. His leap takes him between A15 and A45. RULING: No foul. The action by B77 does not take him directly over any of the shield players and thus it is legal.

9. Team A is in punt formation at the A-25. Kicking team players A34, A45, and A15 form a shield a few yards in front of the punter. Defensive tackle B77 rushes forward and in an attempt to block the kick he leaves his feet. His action takes him straight into the air but he does not attempt to leap over any member of the shield. RULING: No foul. The action by B77 does not take him directly over any of the shield players and thus it is legal.

10. Team A is in punt formation at the A-25. Kicking team players A34, A45, and A15 form a shield a few yards in front of the punter. Defensive end B89 circles wide, and A15 moves out to keep himself between B89 and the punter. B89 is outside the tackle box when he leaves his feet to try to block the punt by leaping over A15. RULING: Legal play, since B89 is outside the tackle box.

[El Macman]

Play 2 supports a no-call if the receiver is not physically affected, as most people have probably been ruling, anyway.

And play 10 addresses the leaper outside the TB - no foul.

[cougar729]

It seems to me that forming this punt shield should warrent a foul, much the same way an illegal wedge is a foul.  For consistency sake, we are saying we don't like the jumping over the shield, much like we dont want players busting a wedge, just make the shield & wedge illegal.

[Rulesman]

It seems to me that forming this punt shield should warrent a foul, much the same way an illegal wedge is a foul.  For consistency sake, we are saying we don't like the jumping over the shield, much like we dont want players busting a wedge, just make the shield & wedge illegal.

That would force coaches to teach proper blocking techniques. 

[clearwall]

It seems to me that forming this punt shield should warrent a foul, much the same way an illegal wedge is a foul.  For consistency sake, we are saying we don't like the jumping over the shield, much like we dont want players busting a wedge, just make the shield & wedge illegal.

I disagree, in the wedge situation, you are running full force at the oncoming tackler. In this situation, the shield is stationary and far less dangerous. It also doesn't provide a serious advantage like the wedge does. It's still the same number of blockers as a traditional line would have, just three of them are moved back

[cougar729]

I understand those issues and its a good point.  My main concern is that the formation of the wedge is illegal in order to help prevent the opposing team from fouling (blocking low), here it would seem the same logic could be followed, the shield is illegal to prevent the opposing team from fouling (jumping over the shield)

[clearwall]

U make a good pt, but i think youd be sacrificing ingenuity & evolution of the gm

[mattlipsey]

That would force coaches to teach proper blocking techniques. 

I think a lot of officials are missing the point or the intent for the foul on the wedge on a free kick or scrimmage kick.  On a free kick, it is a safety issue because kickoff teams have wedge busters that would attempt to break the wedge by plowing into them.  Now the shield on the punting team, is for protection only theres not a wedge buster hauling tail from far distance to break the shield (hopefully).  On the new kickoff rule for the kicking team you have to be on or stradaling the 30 yd line and the kickoff is the 35 yd line.  This rule is for the speed demons they use to get to the runner asap in theory decreasing momentum therefore decreasing head injuries.  I did a college spring game with the new rules and its going to be interesting on how they adapt.  I made too many offside calls that afternoon and its rare that I make them.