Onside Kick after a Safety

[CoachJJ]

I THINK - don't KNOW - that you cannot catch a free kick in the air.  Think I got that over at Huey's recently - as in last two weeks.  Ball has to hit a player or the ground to be fair game.  You can catch a punt to down it, but not a free kick.

And JJ - that HS coach that did that - he must have been REALLY sure he could get that on-sides kick back.  Because you're giving up possession based on that slim chance.  Even Belichick didn't take that safety in Denver until 4th down, and there was enough time left to force a punt to get the ball back...

My memory of that night is kinda hazy ... 20 years is a long time ... it is possible that it was 2nd or 3rd and long ... which would make more sense ... I just KNOW it wasnt 4th down ... and that HC certainly had watermelon size cajones ...

[CoachJJ]

If the ball hits the ground isn't it treated like a fumble?? I have yet to see a team kick an onsides and wait for the other team to try and get it. 1st man there takes out the guy waiting for the ball.

That is why they kick it into the ground and get the big hop for 'onside kicks' ... once it hits the ground everyone is fair game ... but the ball must still go 10 yards before you can recover ...

[JB]

You (kicking team) can catch it in the air after 10 yards wither it hits a player or the ground or not.

Actually, under NFHS rules, you cannot. It is ruled "kick catching interference". The ball MUST either: 1) touch the ground, or 2) touch a receiving team player before K can recover. If ball strikes ground and travels 10...well..we know, live ball. If "R" touches ball before it goes 10 yds (either in air or after ball has hit ground), live ball. If ball travels in air beyond 10 yds from free kick line, then it must strike ground or an R player before it can be recovered (note--it cannot be advanced).

It is an oddly named rule, b/c it implies you must interfere with catch, but, in reality, you cannot run down and catch the ball.

It's rule 6-1-something...do not have rule book w/ me.

Also, on free kicks, you can only place kick or drop kick on a "kickoff". Punting is only allowed following a safety (edit).

"First touching" applies only to a member of K touching the free kick in neutral zone, before it travels 10 yards.

Note that R's free kick line is a vertical plane, like the goal line, so if in some wierd circumstance, where ball struck ground in neutral zone, then passed R's free kick line (i.e., it traveled 10 yds) in air and wind blew it back, it's a live ball that K can recover.

[Coach Moody]

Always punt after a safety...  most kids have been told to stay away from the ball so you can usually recover.. I have done this successfully. Most kids think it is a scrimmage kick (punt) and not a free kick.

[jem]

Actually, under NFHS rules, you cannot. It is ruled "kick catching interference". The ball MUST either: 1) touch the ground, or 2) touch a receiving team player before K can recover. If ball strikes ground and travels 10...well..we know, live ball. If "R" touches ball before it goes 10 yds (either in air or after ball has hit ground), live ball. If ball travels in air beyond 10 yds from free kick line, then it must strike ground or an R player before it can be recovered (note--it cannot be advanced).

It is an oddly named rule, b/c it implies you must interfere with catch, but, in reality, you cannot run down and catch the ball.

It's rule 6-1-something...do not have rule book w/ me.

Also, on free kicks, you can only punt after a safety, you can only place kick or drop kick on a "kickoff".

"First touching" applies only to a member of K touching the free kick in neutral zone, before it travels 10 yards.

Note that R's free kick line is a vertical plane, like the goal line, so if in some wierd circumstance, where ball struck ground in neutral zone, then passed R's free kick line (i.e., it traveled 10 yds) in air and wind blew it back, it's a live ball that K can recover.

Not in Federation rules.No.  In all the American codes, the receiving team must be given opp'ty to catch the ball whether they call for a fair catch or not.  In some of the codes it's not interference if team K catches the ball and there's nobody from team R in position or trying to play it, but in Fed the ball has to touch the ground, an official, or someone from team R, or it's interference regardless of whether there's a player of R within a mile of it.

In the Canadian codes, both teams have equal rights to the ball and don't have to be given opp'ty to catch it, although you still have to play the ball and not the opponent.

I stand corrected!  Good Job 

j

 

 

[Michael]

New England just did it against Pittsburgh.  Used a drop kick.  It went out of bounds.

[Bob Goodman]

New England just did it against Pittsburgh.  Used a drop kick.  It went out of bounds.

Why would they use a drop kick instead of a punt?