TASO

Interpretations in 2003 Kicking Game Situations

The rules changes involving kicking situations have created much discussion. The following is combined interpretations from John Adams, Tim Millis, Jim Blackwood and others attending the NCAA rules committee meeting.

9-4-1

The two yard restricted area (halo rule) was eliminated but the unimpeded opportunity to catch kick will continue to be enforced. The NCAA Rules Committee and Rules Editor, John Adams, emphasized the following during discussion, meetings, clinics, the writing of the Rules and the 2003 Points of emphasis:

The kicking team is responsible to know the location of the kicked ball. If a receiver has to run-around a kicking team player while moving toward the ball and attempting to catch it, it is a kick catch interference foul against the kickers even if there is no contact.
It is an interference foul if the kicking team contacts the receiver before or simultaneous to his first touching of the ball. The receiver must show some evidence of possession. When in question, it is kick catch interference foul.
Defenseless players include kick receivers (1) whose attention is on the downward flight of the ball and (2) who has just touched the ball.
Intentional helmet-to-helmet contact is never legal nor any blow directed at opponents head.
Flagrant offenders will continue to be disqualified.
Interference could include a kicking team member standing close to a receiver, running in front of him, waving his arms at him, or yelling, shouting, or screaming at him. Interference is a judgment call in these situations.
This means you don't have to have contact to have a foul.
Officials should be consistent in this enforcement.

FAIR CATCH 6-5-1- an exception

Once receivers have signaled for a fair catch, he cannot run with the ball after the catch and neither team can run with the ball after a muff or recovery.

A 2003 rule change provides that the unimpeded opportunity to catch a free or scrimmage kick is extended to a receiver who muffs a kick if a valid fair catch signal was made and he still has an opportunity to complete the catch (the opportunity is a judgment call.)
The kicking team cannot interfere with the receiver or contact him or the ball until the ball strikes the ground.
This differs from an invalid fair catch signal or when no signal is given; in each of these situations the protection terminates when the ball is muffed.

BOTTOM LINE

Once the free or scrimmage kick is made, LET THEM CATCH THE BALL!!!

NCAA Football Play Situations and Interpretations for the 2003 season from John Adams, secretary-rules editor of the NCAA Football Rules Committee.

As B17 awaits Team's high scrimmage kick: a) A85 stands near B17 and shouts at him; b) A55 sprints past B17, coming very close to him; or c) A38 stands near B17 and waives his hands and arms at him. RULING: In all three scenarios, Team A foul, interference with the opportunity to catch a kick. Fifteen yards from the spot of the foul, whether or not the ball is caught by B17 (Rule 6-4-1).

As B17 is positioned (beyond the neutral zone) to catch Team A's scrimmage kick, he is contacted by A89 immediately after first touching the ball. RULING: Team A foul, interference with the opportunity to catch a kick. B17 is entitled to an unimpeded opportunity to catch the ball. Fifteen yards from the spot of the foul. When no fair-catch signal is made, Team A players may contact the receiver after he catches the kick or after he muffs the kick (Rules 6-4-1 and 6-4-1-c).

B33 makes a valid fair-catch signal and muffs the ball, but still has an opportunity to catch the kick. A88 contacts B33, or touches the ball as B33 attempts to complete the catch. RULING: Team A foul, interference with the opportunity to catch a kick. Fifteen yards from the spot of the foul, whether or not the ball is caught by B17 (Rule 6-5-1 Exception).