Any HS Ref please answer

[bigwes68]

The posts by papatj and myself are the correct rule. This is one of several high school rules that is different from the college and NFL rule set.

 

It's very simple....a place kick, a drop kick and a punt are EXACTLY THE SAME THING in high school rules, with the ONLY exception being that a punt cannot score a field goal. Just remember that, and you won't be confused. Any kick (other than a made field goal) that crosses the goal line is a touchback, always, always, always. Any kick that becomes dead before crossing the goal line belongs to the receiving team at the spot it becomes dead, barring a penalty. Once again, this applies to ALL scrimmage kicks (punts, place kicks and drop kicks).

[stuman89]

You know, where teams have weak punters, I wonder if attempted field goals wouldn't be a better answer is some cases.

[VolunteerGeneral]

The posts by papatj and myself are the correct rule. This is one of several high school rules that is different from the college and NFL rule set.

 

It's very simple....a place kick, a drop kick and a punt are EXACTLY THE SAME THING in high school rules, with the ONLY exception being that a punt cannot score a field goal. Just remember that, and you won't be confused. Any kick (other than a made field goal) that crosses the goal line is a touchback, always, always, always. Any kick that becomes dead before crossing the goal line belongs to the receiving team at the spot it becomes dead, barring a penalty. Once again, this applies to ALL scrimmage kicks (punts, place kicks and drop kicks).

 

 

Thanks..I didn`t know that. So, a team that was just out of field goal range could line up for a field goal and have the kicker aim it for the coffin corner?

[lastone2know]

dang what a rule...if this is true i can't believe more coaches don't use it..

[o21putt]

Once again, a field goal attempt is just another scrimmage kick, except it can score three points. If the ball breaks the plane of the goal line, it is a touchback. Ball shall be placed at the 20 yard line. According to national federation high school rules anytime a scrimmage kick or free kick breaks the plane of the goal line it is a touchback. The fg attempt that falls short of the goal line can be returned just like a punt can be returned. If it rolls out of bounds prior to reaching the end zone then the receiving team has the ball at spot where the ball goes out of bounds. I don't know how to make it any clearer. Get the NFHS rule book and read the rules if you wish to get more information. There is also a case book that describes different situations pertaining to kicks.

[rkwd2]

Thats a pretty strange rule but thats the whacky Federaion rules for you. I used to ump HS Baseball and it has some odd rules that really don't make a lot of sense compared with every other league of baseball. This rule if explotted would almost always take the punt/fg decession out of the question. I kind of don't like it, it takes some strategy out of the game. THe worse that happens on a FG attempt that doesn't get blocked is that the other team would get the ball at the twenty. I think I would prefer the College rule (The NFL Rule is a bit harash) to atleast make a coach weigh the options before banging away at field goals that he knows his kids can't hit.

[robjim]

Perhaps this link will help....

 

Differences between High School and NCAA football rules

[Bill#49]

I just moved to Western Wilson Co and so I thought I'd check out the game between Mt Juliet and Wilson Central. On the first drive of the game Mt Juliet stalled and sent out the field goal team on their half of the field. I'm not sure why but they snapped it the holder held and the kicker kicked the ball. So essentially instead of punting they attempted about a 85 yd field goal. Now Wilson Central thinking it was a fake had a return man. So anyway the kick lands around the WC 45 and rolls about five yds where for some reason I can't figure out the return man picked the ball up. Now correct me if I am wrong but if they had just left the ball alone would the kick not have been ruled a missed field goal and the ball given to Wilson Central at the line of scrimage of the previous play? I Have never seen a coach use a place kicker instead of a punter in that situation. Was this a trick play hoping that the opposing kid would do something stupid or is it a obscure rule?

 

 

Franklin Road Academy did the very exact thing to us in 1991 during the state semi-finals.

[soccerdad]

As a former kicking coach (and soccer coach), I have recommended the place kick for distance and accuracy in place of the punt. But, alas, I wasn't taken seriously. Us kickers are looked at as a squirrelly bunch anyway. But if you used us properly and according to rule, you'd have a whopper of a weapon!

 

Others have studied this in detail. See John T. Reed's "Football Think Tank" at http://www.johntreed.com/placekickpunt.html Teams with weak punters can really benefit. The placement of the ball into the corners would really help a weak defense. Protection is not as great an issue.

 

Get out there and give it a try! But carry your NFHS book!

[Solomon]

Franklin Road Academy did the very exact thing to us in 1991 during the state semi-finals.

 

 

My team pretty much lost a game in the mid 90s because of this rule (well, that and flat out being hosed by the refs). Opponent lined up to kick a about a 50 yarder with about 3 minutes to go and landed it somewhere between the 7-10 yard line. No player on the field had any idea of this rule, and they ran down and downed it. Being as we had no passing game, we were basically out of luck.

[swampler]

I'm glad I ran across this thread as I was wondering the exact same thing.

 

On a different note, I have several photos available on my site from that game and last week's Wilson Central game.

[Snowman16]

So if i were to kick a "field goal" from my 10 and the ball rolled to the 50, I could down it there like a punt or the returner could bring it back?