I have been out of Coaching for just a few years OK maybe a decade But my question is; When kicking a field goal is the holder off limits. Can the defense play through the holder in an attempt to block the kick. High School rule please. :confused:

Rule 9-4-5...A defensive player shall neither run into the kicker nor holder, which is contact that displaces the kicker or holder without roughing; nor block, tackle, or charge into the kicker or holder, other than when:

 

a. Contact is unavoidable because it is not reasonably certain that a kick will be made.

b. The defense touches the kick near the kicker and contact is unavoidable.

c. Contact is slight and is partially caused by movement of the kicker.

d. Contact is caused by R being blocked into the kicker or holder by K.

So do you think that if the kick is blocked but the legs of the blocker or body hit the back of the holder as he passes that, that constitutes a roughing penalty.

So do you think that if the kick is blocked but the legs of the blocker or body hit the back of the holder as he passes that, that constitutes a roughing penalty.

 

Yes, I think that hitting the holder in the back is avoidable. Whether the contact was slight is, obviously, subjective.

 

This is probably the most I've ever thought about roughing the holder. Great question.

Yes, I think that hitting the holder in the back is avoidable. Whether the contact was slight is, obviously, subjective.

 

This is probably the most I've ever thought about roughing the holder. Great question.

 

Seems to me this would give the defense a pass on contact with the holder when the kicked ball is touched...

 

"b. The defense touches the kick near the kicker and contact is unavoidable."

I wasn't sure of the rule until I saw it listed above. In a college game over the last couple of weekends, I saw a penalty called when the holder was taken out on the kick, but the kicker was not touched. There was no explanation on television, so it left me wondering what the rule was.

Seems to me this would give the defense a pass on contact with the holder when the kicked ball is touched...

 

"b. The defense touches the kick near the kicker and contact is unavoidable."

 

...yes, if the kick is touched prior to contacting the holder and the contact is unavoidable, it's probably not a foul. However, I don't think that was the scenario that JARS described. At least in my mind, I envisioned a play where the holder got hit in the back, either before or simultaneous to the blocked kick.

...yes, if the kick is touched prior to contacting the holder and the contact is unavoidable, it's probably not a foul. However, I don't think that was the scenario that JARS described. At least in my mind, I envisioned a play where the holder got hit in the back, either before or simultaneous to the blocked kick.

 

Offsides, just a comment to make to you. I have been an official for 11 years and LOVE to referee football. It is definately my passion. When I see someone act in such as manner as you do that IMPROVES the game of football I get pumped. I love the way that when you answer questions you start out with the quote from the rule book, not your own opinion. This gives people that would not normally have a clue what the rule book says the exact rule. You are a credit to officials and the game of football with the way you answer these questions. Good job.

Offsides, just a comment to make to you. I have been an official for 11 years and LOVE to referee football. It is definately my passion. When I see someone act in such as manner as you do that IMPROVES the game of football I get pumped. I love the way that when you answer questions you start out with the quote from the rule book, not your own opinion. This gives people that would not normally have a clue what the rule book says the exact rule. You are a credit to officials and the game of football with the way you answer these questions. Good job.

 

Yes thank you very much for giving me the actual rule, and my scenario is based on what I saw in a College game also. The legs of the blocker hit the holder very well the blocker did block the football but the penalty was called and assessed against the blocking team. I was just curious as to the High School rule for my own knowledge. Thank you very much and you are a definte credit to your profession I hope someday our paths may cross if they have not already unknowingly. My Q was answered completely. Again Thanks:thumb:

Thanks for the kind words. Answering questions on BGP is my favorite way to study the rules. It has made me a better official, so THANK YOU for asking the questions.

Offsides, just a comment to make to you. I have been an official for 11 years and LOVE to referee football. It is definately my passion. When I see someone act in such as manner as you do that IMPROVES the game of football I get pumped. I love the way that when you answer questions you start out with the quote from the rule book, not your own opinion. This gives people that would not normally have a clue what the rule book says the exact rule. You are a credit to officials and the game of football with the way you answer these questions. Good job.

 

OS

 

I concur. Great job. Echo what Z-man said about you beginning with the Rule itself. I get amazed from time to time as to the lack of Rules knowledge by many (including some Coaches.)

 

YOur recent explanation of the "Whistle not stopping the Play" was fantastic. Glad you are on here and always very quick with a reply.:thumb::thumb:

It is common to hear that contacting the holder or kicker is legal if you get a piece of the ball. This is not supported in the rules. If the defender is able to avoid contact with the kicker or holder, he must do so. Now, the degree of that contact will determine if the contact is a foul, or if it is running into (5 yards) or roughing (15 yards and automatic first down). Keep in mind that touching is not a foul. Contact is more than simple touching.

 

Definitions:

2-32-7 A holder is a player who controls the ball on the ground or on a kicking tee.

2-32-8 A kicker is any player who legally punts, drop kicks or place kicks. A player becomes a kicker when his knee, lower leg or foot makes contact with the ball. He continues to be the kicekr until he has had a reasonable opportunity to regain his ballance, or until after a free kick, he has advanced 5 yards beyond his free-kick line, or the kick has touched the ground or any other player.