Specialists are plentiful in the game of football. In some cases, a player enters the game for only two or three plays per game. It is those limited roles and the particular portions of the game that provide the name “special teams.” Free kicks are one such area.
A significant portion of the pregame should be devoted to kick plays. It’s important for all officials to understand the rules regarding free kicks and to make the right call, not only on the opening kickoff, but on all free kicks.
The tee. A tee can be used for any free kick. If the wind blows the ball off the tee, either before or during the kicker’s approach, the whistle should be sounded to stop play. A good rule of thumb is to allow the ball to be reset on the tee once. If it is blown off again, a holder should be used.
Team K encroachment. Both the holder and the kicker can be beyond the free-kick line when the ball is kicked. If any other player is beyond the free-kick line when the play is kicked, it is a foul.
Play 1: As K1 starts his approach for the opening kickoff, overanxious K10 steps across the line before the ball is kicked. The ball (a) is caught by R2 and returned to team R’s 20 yardline, or (b) rolls beyond the end line for a touchback. Ruling 1: In both cases, as soon as K10 steps across the line, it is a dead-ball foul. Team K will be penalized five yards and will try again.
Out of bounds. A free kick that goes out of bounds without being touched by a member of the receiving team is a foul. The ball may be put in play at the inbounds spot at the yardline where it went out of bounds or at the same inbounds spot 25 yards from where it was kicked. Team R may also choose to have the ball kicked again after a five-yard penalty.
Play 2: K1’s kickoff hits the ground and rolls out of bounds untouched at team R’s (a) 40 yardline, or (b) 20 yardline. Ruling 2: Team R will either elect to have the down replayed after a five-yard penalty, or choose to take the ball at the inbounds spot on its (a) 40 yardline, or (b) 35 yardline. Although in (b) team R also has the option of taking the ball at the spot it went out of bounds, that is not likely to happen.
Near the goalline. A non-scoring kick becomes dead when it breaks the plane of team R’s goalline.
Play 3: R2 is the primary kick returner and is standing in his own end zone. K1’s kickoff (a) is caught by R2, (b) hits the ground at the two yardline and bounces directly to R2, or (c) hits the ground at the two yardline and rolls over the goalline to R2. Ruling 3: In all cases, the ball is dead when it breaks the plane of the goalline. The result is a touchback.
Play 4: K1’s kickoff hits the ground and bounces high into the air at team R’s five yardline. K3 attempts to recover the ball, but muffs it into the end zone. It is recovered there by (a) K5, or (b) R7. Ruling 4: The ball is dead when the kick breaks the plane of the goalline.
Kick-catch interference. The receiving team must be given an unhindered opportunity to catch the kick. That right exists whether or not team R signals for a fair catch. The kicking team must stay out of the path between the receiver and the spot where the ball will land. There doesn’t have to be physical contact for there to be a foul. The penalty is 15 yards from the previous spot or an awarded fair catch at the spot of the foul.
Additionally, it is a foul if a team K player catches the kick or touches it while it is in flight before it has touched a receiver or the ground.
First touching. When team K touches a free kick and is not entitled to possession, it is a violation termed first touching. First touching occurs when team K touches the ball first after it has touched the ground, but before it has traveled 10 yards or before a team R player touches it. That violation gives team R the option to take the ball at any spot of first touching, as long as it does not touch the ball and subsequently foul.
Play 5: K1’s kickoff goes five yards and is downed by (a) R4, or (b) K5. Ruling 5: In both cases it will be team R’s ball, first and 10 at the spot of the recovery. In (b), team R will choose to take the ball at the spot of first touching.
Play 6: K1’s kickoff goes eight yards and is muffed by R3. The ball is then downed at K’s 42 yardline by (a) R6, or (b) K8. Ruling 6: In (a), it will be team R’s ball, first and 10 at the spot of the recovery. In (b), it will be team K’s ball, first and 10 at the spot of the recovery. First touching only applies when team K touches the kick before team R prior to the ball traveling 10 yards.
Team K possession. Once the ball travels 10 yards, both teams are generally entitled to possession, but here’s a play that illustrates a significant difference between the codes.
Team K may recover a free kick if it has both touched the ground and gone beyond the plane of team R’s free-kick line. The two requirements may occur in any order and the ball need not remain beyond the plane of team R’s free-kick line. The only way team K can catch a free kick is if the ball first touches a member of the receiving team.
Play 7: K1’s kickoff goes to midfield. It is scooped on the bounce by K9, who takes it to team R’s 35 yardline before being tackled. Ruling 7: Team K is entitled to retain the ball, but cannot advance it. The ball is dead when K9 recovers and belongs to his team, first and 10 at the 50 yardline.
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