Is this also the rule in NCAA and NFL? It really seems to put the kicking team at an unfair disadvantage.

 

It is the same rule...An onside kick must meet 2 criteria..travel 10 yards and touch the ground..

Okay, so this whole thread has been about somebody in the stands who either misinterpreted what happened on the field or simply didn't see all aspects of a play transpire or just missed the official ruling. That doesn't mean that the fan in question didn't have a clue, he obviously does and just missed something. And it seems that we've clarified it for him because he asked.

 

Exactly! What I didn't know was that the ball had to hit the ground first; and from my vantage point, it hit a Mason County player before it hit the ground.

Although I don't recall ever seeing a kicking team catch its own kick before it hits the ground, I did not know that was a requirement for the kicking team to recover its own kick.

 

I'm now that much smarter.

Although I don't recall ever seeing a kicking team catch its own kick before it hits the ground, I did not know that was a requirement for the kicking team to recover its own kick.

 

I'm now that much smarter.

You and me both. But it was probably a bigger jump for me.