Rule question

[CenTexSports]

Player on team A in punt position receives the ball from the snapper and is in the "ACT" of kicking the ball (scrimmage kick behind the line). He has dropped the ball to his foot but has not kicked it when a Team B player has rushed unimpeded through and tackles the kicker. Penalty or not?

[JasperDog94]

Did the tackler touch the ball as he was tackling the punter?

[sinton66]

I think the tackler has to get a piece of the ball for this not to be a "roughing the kicker" penalty.

[VAMike]

If the contact starts before the ball is actually kicked then the player hit is not yet a kicker and therefore ,no foul for running into or roughing. Does not matter if defender touches the ball or not

[sinton66]

Learn something every day, thanks Mike.

[3afan]

hey VAMIke !!!!!

whats your DIII schedule look like this year?

[VAMike]

Several trips to NC but should be decent games. STill beats sitting at home

[JasperDog94]

Originally posted by VAMike
If the contact starts before the ball is actually kicked then the player hit is not yet a kicker and therefore ,no foul for running into or roughing. Does not matter if defender touches the ball or not Wow. I had no idea.:doh:

[CenTexSports]

That is the correct call by the book but what about this year's Points of Emphasis that define a kicker "in the act" as a defenseless player?

[VAMike]

The "act of kicking" means from the point shoe meets leather and he is doing the follow through. He is not a kicker until he kicks. What would you do with the play where punter misses the ball and is up in the air when he gets hit as ball is laying on the ground? He did not kick so there is no running into or roughing although one could still say he is "defenseless".