IMO, you can't move it back because of the smaller schools, and some bigger schools that can't find anyone to kick it to the 20...much less the end zone. Allowing returns from the end zone would still allow the other schools to be "special" on special teams. If you want to run 25 yards to try to get to the 20, have at it. If not, down it. If you receive a kick on the 20, nothings changed...

Let the KO's be returned from the endzone.

Good Discussion so far: Couple of things. Popham from Cov Cath uses a one inch tee. He started playing football in the 8th grade, soccer before that, no soccer since. Kicks should be able to be returned as long as they do not go out of the end zone, out of the end zone than it is a touchback. Good football programs work hard on their special teams play no matter how good the kickers. Regarding soccer players involed in football, good idea as long as school goes along. Do we ban baseball pitchers from being quarterbacks and track stars from being running backs or wide receivers. no I don't think so. You put your best athletes on the field and let the kids be kids. Today if a kid can play more than one sport good for him/her.

I hate this rule. It is ridiculous, it takes away from the game and makes it boring. When you have a kicker like Popham or Bathiany who consistently put them in the endzone.... why not just start the game on the 20 yrd line. Dumb and should be changed to allow player to make the choice to run or take a knee.

Not sure regarding Ohio / Ky. But I watched a Texas High School game last night and there it was returnable from the endzone.

Texas highschool football games are played under NCAA rules which allow kicks to be returned from the endzone. Massachusetts also observes NCAA rules.

 

This has been a NFHS rule (Free kick in R's end zone is a touchback) since 1943. Looked it up in the NFHS Football Handbook.

 

offside

Texas highschool football games are played under NCAA rules which allow kicks to be returned from the endzone. Massachusetts also observes NCAA rules.

 

This has been a NFHS rule (Free kick in R's end zone is a touchback) since 1943. Looked it up in the NFHS Football Handbook.

 

offside

 

What happens when they travel out of state or an out of state team travels to Texas? Is it like the World Series, home teams rules?

 

If that's the case, I hope no one forgets this weekend and levels a kid that gives himself up on a kick in the end zone.

I don't like it when a returner muffs a kickoff and it rolls into the end zone for an automatic touchback. Seems like it should be a live ball, especially since it was already touched.

 

I would be in favor of allowing the ball to be returned out of the end zone AND moving the kickoff back to the 35. That's because I remember Mayfield's kicker sending all his kicks through the end zone.

 

BTW, I've seen WKC crews allow returns out of the end zone in the past, but to be honest, those just weren't very good officiating crews. Haven't seen it happen recently though.

What happens when they travel out of state or an out of state team travels to Texas? Is it like the World Series, home teams rules?

 

If that's the case, I hope no one forgets this weekend and levels a kid that gives himself up on a kick in the end zone.

 

Yes, game rules are dictated by the state in which the game is played. Even among NFHS states there are usually some minor differences. For instance, Ohio has a different overtime procedure than Kentucky (which is similar to NCAA). So, officials meet with the visiting team's Head Coach to go over those differences before the game.

 

offside

Yes, game rules are dictated by the state in which the game is played. Even among NFHS states there are usually some minor differences. For instance, Ohio has a different overtime procedure than Kentucky (which is similar to NCAA). So, officials meet with the visiting team's Head Coach to go over those differences before the game.

 

offside

 

Gracias...

Also remember that the it's the location of the ball in reference to the goal line that determines whether a kick has ended in the end zone, not the players feet.

 

On somewhat rare occasions, I have seen a return-man catch a kick in such a way that his feet are on the goal line, but the ball was still in the field of play.

 

offside

I think one thing that needs to be considered is tight games. Lets say Team A is the favorite...they score with 2:00 minutes to go over Team B and go up 27-20. Team A has the great kicker. Now Team B gets the kickoff and fields it a half yad inside the endzone....OOOOPS...now Team B has to go 80 yards for a score to tie the game.....I HATE IT.

A better way to end it is to let Team B return it and get a chance to get good field position to make for a better chance at tying (or winning). It penalizes the team that is down by ruling an automatic touchback.

 

I would think that if you allowed the rule that they can return it, then it makes the coach have to strategize a little more about the ensuing kickoff (do we kick it deep or do we squib it or what???) Plus, how exciting is it if Team B returns it to the 50 or better yet, returns it all the way? A lot more exciting. I have always hated this rule. Its not like its a safety issue, is it? I just dont think its fair to the team that needs to score and has the potential to do it on a big kickoff return.

What about returning interceptions out the endzone that is worst.

I hate this rule. It is ridiculous, it takes away from the game and makes it boring. When you have a kicker like Popham or Bathiany who consistently put them in the endzone.... why not just start the game on the 20 yrd line. Dumb and should be changed to allow player to make the choice to run or take a knee.

 

 

Yeah can't wait for that Highlands vs CovCath game to watch all that excitement on the kickoff returns as both teams have excellent kick return players who have made some great runs this year..............oh never mind anytime either team scores it would be a good time to make a bathroom stop or grab a hot dog because you know nothing is going to happen on the next play other than watch some ballboy retreiving the ball from behind the endzone.:sleep:

Yeah can't wait for that Highlands vs CovCath game to watch all that excitement on the kickoff returns as both teams have excellent kick return players who have made some great runs this year..............oh never mind anytime either team scores it would be a good time to make a bathroom stop or grab a hot dog because you know nothing is going to happen on the next play other than watch some ballboy retreiving the ball from behind the endzone.:sleep:

 

Funny, the only time that Pop didn't put the ball into the endzone Friday against Beechwood, Beechwood only ran it back to the 19. BTW, maybe only one of Pop's kick would have been run out of the endzone as he hit them so deep into yhe endzone, that no return team would have taken a chance on running it out.....

 

Special team do make a huge diffenence, and Friday night at Beechwood, showed just how much a diiference they can make.....

I always wrote off Special Teams especially in high school where there usually isn't one player with that special abililty to consistently make a huge impact. But watching CovCath this year, with Blesser's punts keeping them inside the 20, Popham's kickoffs that never get returned along with his field goals from almost anywhere, Joe and Brandon's multiple touchdowns from punt or kick returns, and TheOldGuys' constant praise of the CCH special teams, has made me realize that a good ST is a valuable weapon.