New Kickoff Rules 2024

New Kickoff Rules 2024/08/05

RULE 6 FREE KICKS

SECTION 1 PROCEDURES FOR A FREE KICK

ARTICLE 1. FREE KICK.

A free kick is a kickoff, safety kick, or onside kick that puts the ball in play to start a free kick down. It must be made from any point on the kicking team’s restraining line and between the inbounds lines.

フリーキックとは、フリーキックダウンを開始する為にボールをプレイに移す、キックオフ、セーフティキック、又はオンサイドキックである。キックチームの制限線上及びインバウンズライン間の任意の地点から行わなければならない。

(a) A kickoff puts the ball in play at the start of each half, after a Try, and after a successful field goal. A drop kick or place kick may be used for a kickoff.

前後半の開始時、トライの後、フィールドゴールの成功後にキックオフによってボールをプレイに移す。キックオフはドロップキック又はプレースキックによる。

(b) A safety kick puts the ball in play after a safety. A drop kick, place kick, or punt may be used for a safety kick. A tee may be used for a safety kick.

セーフティ後は、セーフティキックでボールをプレイに移す。ドロップキック、プレースキック、又はパントでセーフティキックを行なえる。ティーはセーフティキックに用いても良い。

(c) An onside kick puts the ball in play in the fourth period by the team who is trailing in the game and declares that form of a free kick to the officials. A holder can be used for an onside kick. See 6-1-6 and 6-2-2 below.

オンサイドキックは、第４Qに劣勢のチームが審判に宣言し、ボールをプレイに移す。オンサイドキックにはホルダーを使える。6-1-6及び6-2-2を参照。

Note

During a free kick, the kicking team may use a manufactured tee designed to hold the ball no more than one inch from the ground and approved by the League. Nothing, including a holder or designated holder, can be used to elevate the ball more than one inch above the ground. Once the ball has been placed on the kicking tee, the kicking tee cannot be moved. If the ball falls off the tee, the covering officials must stop play and restart the timing process without penalty to the kicking team. If the ball falls off the tee a second time during the same free kick down, the kicking team then must kick it off the tee with the use of a designated holder during a kickoff or safety kick, or with a holder during an onside kick. The designated holder during a kickoff or safety kick shall be a uniformed member of the kicking team and may be the 12th person on the field, but he is a non-player, must leave the field on his team’s sideline immediately after the ball is kicked (5-2-8-e), and is also subject to the rules of non-player conduct in accordance with Rule 13. The ball may be placed on the ground leaning against the tee, provided the tee is in its normal upright position.

フリーキック中、キックチームは、地面から1inch.以内にボールを保持するように設計され、リーグに承認されたティーを使用してもよい。ボールを地面から1inch.以上持ち上げる為に、ホルダー又はdesignated holderを含めて使用してはならない。ボールがティーに置かれたらティーを動かしてはならない。ボールがティーから落ちた場合、担当の審判員はキックチームへの罰則無しでプレイを中止し、計時プロセスを再開しなければならない。同じフリーキックダウン中に再度ボールがティーから落ちた場合、キックチームは、キックオフかセーフティキックの場合はdesignated holderを使用し、オンサイドキックの場合はホルダーを使用して、ティーからボールを蹴らなければならない。キックオフ又はセーフティキック中のdesignated holderは、キックチームのユニフォームを着たメンバーであり、フィールド上の 12 人目となりえるが、彼はノンプレイヤーであり、ボールが蹴られたらすぐにチームのサイドライン側にフィールドを離れなければならない（5-2-8-e）、Rule13 のノンプレイヤーの規則の対象となる。ティーが通常の直立位置にある場合、ボールをティーに寄りかかって地面に置いてもよい。

Penalty: For illegal kick on a free kick down: Loss of five yards.

罰則：フリーキックダウンでの不正なキック：5yd罰退。

ARTICLE 2. RESTRAINING LINES AND ZONES.

The restraining lines and applicable zones for a kickoff or safety kick shall be as follows:

キックオフ又はセーフティキックの制限線と適用ゾーンは以下の通りである。

(a) “Kicker’s Restraining Line” - the restraining line for the kick by the kicking team shall be its 35-yard line for a kickoff and its 20-yard line for a safety kick unless it is adjusted because of a distance penalty.

キッカーの制限線：距離罰則が無い限り、キックチームによるキックの制限線は、キックオフは35yd、セーフティキックは20ydとする。

(b) “Kicking Team’s Restraining Line” - the restraining line for the remaining 10 players of the kicking team shall be the receiving team’s 40-yard line.

キックチームの制限線：キックチームの他の10 人の制限線は、レシーブチームの40ydとする。

(c) “Receiving Team’s Restraining Line” - the restraining line for the receiving team shall be the receiving team’s 35-yard line.

レシーブチームの制限線：レシーブチームの制限線はレシーブチームの35ydとする。

(d) The “setup zone” for the receiving team is the 5-yard area between the receiving team’s 35-yard line and its 30-yard line. See Article 6 below for the setup zone for an onside kick.

レシーブチームの”セットアップゾーン”は、レシーブチームの35～30ydの5ydの範囲で、オンサイドキックのセットアップゾーンはArticle 6を参照。

(e) The “landing zone” shall be the area from the receiving team’s 20-yard line extending to its goal line.

“ランディングゾーン”は、レシーブチームの20ydからゴールラインまでの範囲とする。

ARTICLE 3. KICKOFF OR SAFETY KICK FORMATION.

From the time the kicker begins his approach to the ball and until the ball touches the ground or a player in the landing zone or the end zone:

キッカーがボールへのアプローチを開始してからボールが、ランディングゾーン又はエンドゾーンの、地面又は選手に触れるまで:

(a) All kicking team players must be inbounds and:

キックチームの全員はインバウンズにいなければならない。

(1) all kicking team players other than the kicker must be lined up with their front foot on the kicking team’s restraining line, and both feet must remain on the ground;

キックチームのキッカー以外の全員は、前足を自身の制限線上に揃え、両足を地面に着いていなければならない。

(2) at least two players must be lined up inbounds between the sideline and the bottom (outside) of the yard-line number, at least two players must be lined up between the top (inside) of the yard-line number and the inbounds lines, and at least two players must be lined up inside the inbounds lines.

少なくとも 2 人はサイドラインとヤードラインナンバーの底部 (外側) の間でインバウンズに、少なくとも 2 人はヤードラインナンバーの頭部 (内側) とインバウンズラインの間に、少なくとも2人がインバウンズラインの内側にいなければならない。

(3) the kicker may be beyond the kicker’s restraining line, provided his kicking foot is not beyond the line

蹴り足がキッカーの制限線を超えていない限り、キッカーはその線を超えていてもよい。

(4) after the kick, the kicker may not cross the vicinity of the 50-yard line until the ball touches the ground or player in the landing zone or the end zone.

キック後キッカーはボールが、ランディングゾーン又はエンドゾーンの、地面又は選手に触れるまで50yd付近を越えてはならない。

(b) All receiving team players must be inbounds and on or behind their restraining line, and at least nine players must be positioned in the setup zone. The following applies to the receiving team players in the setup zone

レシーブチーム全員は、インバウンズで自身の制限線上又はその後方に位置し、少なくとも 9人がセットアップゾーンにいなければならない。以下はセットアップゾーンにいるレシーブチームに適用される。

(1) Players on Restraining Line.

At least seven of the players must be lined up with their front foot on the receiving team’s restraining line. If the receiving team elects to have more than nine players in the setup zone, then at least eight players must be lined up with their front foot on the receiving team’s restraining line.

少なくとも7人は、前足をレシーブチームの制限線上に並べなければならない。セットアップゾーンに9人より多くのレシーブチームを配置した場合、少なくとも8人が前足をレシーブチームの制限線上に並べなければならない。

a. At least one of the players must be lined up between the inbounds lines

その内の少なくとも1人がインバウンズラインの間に並ばなければならない。

b. At least one of the players must be lined up between the top (inside) of the yard-line number and the inbounds line on each side of the field.

その内の少なくとも1人は、フィールドの両側のヤードラインナンバーの頭部(内側)とインバウンズラインの間に並ばなければならない。

c. At least one of the players must be lined up between the sideline and the bottom (outside) of the yard-line number on each side of the field.

その内の少なくとも1人は、フィールドの両側のサイドラインとヤードラインナンバーの底部(外側)の間に並ばなければならない。

(2) Remaining Players in the Setup Zone (Not on Restraining Line).

Any players not lined up on the Restraining Line must be lined up between the sidelines and the inbounds lines.

制限線に並んでいない選手は、サイドラインとインバウンズラインの間に並ばなければならない。

(3) At least three players must be lined up outside the inbounds line on each side of the field.

少なくとも 3 人がフィールドの両側のインバウンズラインの外側に並ばなければならない。

(4) All receiving team players lined up outside the setup zone must remain behind the receiving team’s 20-yard line until the ball is kicked and behind the receiving team’s 30-yard line until the ball lands or is touched by a receiving team player in the landing zone or end zone.

セットアップゾーンの外に並んでいるレシーブチーム全員は、ボールがキックされるまでレシーブチームの20ydの後方に、ボールがランディングゾーン又はエンドゾーンに着地するか、レシーブチームにタッチされるまで、レシーブチームの30ydの後方に留まらなければならない。

(c) All players of the kicking team other than the kicker, and all receiving team players in the setup zone, must have both feet remain on the ground.

キッカー以外の10人と、セットアップゾーンのレシーブチーム全員は、両足を地面に着いてなければならない。

(d) Once the kicking team is lined up in a stationary position, the receiving team shall be permitted a reasonable amount of time to line up in the setup zone.

キックチームが静止したら、セットアップゾーンに並ぶ為の適度な時間がレシーブチームに与えられる。

Penalty:

For a player being beyond the restraining line when the ball is kicked (offside),

a player being out of bounds when the ball is kicked,

either team being in an illegal formation when the ball is kicked,

kicking team players (other than the kicker) or receiving team players in the setup zone moving before permitted, or

kicker moving beyond 15 yards from the kicker’s restraining line before permitted (illegal formation): Loss of five yards.

罰則

ボールが蹴られた時に、

制限線を超えていた (オフサイド)、

アウト・オブ・バウンズにいた、

いずれかのチームが不正なフィーメーションであった、

認められる前に (キッカー以外の) キックチーム、又はセットアップゾーンのレシーブチームが動いた、又は

認められる前にキッカーが自身の制限線から15ydを超えた。(イリーガルフォーメーション)

5yd罰退

ARTICLE 4. CATCH OR RECOVERY OF A KICKOFF OR SAFETY KICK

The following applies to the catch or recovery of a kickoff or safety kick:

以下はキックオフ、又はセーフティキックのキャッチ、リカバーに適用される。

(a) If a player of the receiving team catches or recovers the ball in the landing zone or inbounds in the end zone, he may advance.

レシーブチームがランディングゾーンかエンドゾーンのインバウンズでボールをキャッチ、リカバーしたら前進してもよい。

(b) If the ball is declared dead while in the simultaneous possession of two opposing players, the ball is awarded to the receiving team.

双方の選手が同時にボールを確保している時にボールデッドが宣言された場合、ボールはレシーブチームに与えられる。

(c) A player of the kicking team may touch, catch, or recover the ball if it lands or is touched by a receiving team player in the landing zone or in the end zone.

キックチームは、ボールが、ランディングゾーンかエンドゾーン内で、着地するか、レシーブチームに触れた場合、そのボールにタッチ、キャッチ、リカバー出来る。

(d) The ball is dead if:

以下の場合ボールデッドとなる。

(1) it is caught or recovered by a player of the kicking team. If the catch or recovery is legal, the ball belongs to the kicking team at the dead ball spot.

キックチームがキャッチ、リカバーした場合。キャッチ、リカバーが正当であれば、ボールはデッドボール地点でキックチームに所属する。

(2) it is downed by the receiving team in the end zone or goes out of bounds in the end zone (touchback).

エンドゾーンで、レシーブチームによってダウンするか、アウト・オブ・バウンズに出た場合(タッチバック)。

(3) it first touches the ground or a player in advance of the front yard line of the landing zone.

ランディングゾーンの最前線よりも前の地面か選手にボールが最初に触れた場合。

(e) If the live ball comes to rest anywhere in the landing zone or in the end zone, and no player attempts to possess it, the ball becomes dead and belongs to the receiving team at the dead ball spot.

ライブボールがランディングゾーンかエンドゾーン内に止まり、誰もボールを確保しようとしない場合、ボールデッドとなり、デッドボール地点でレシーブチームの所属となる。

ARTICLE 5. KICKOFF OR SAFETY KICK CROSSES GOAL LINE

A kickoff or safety kick into the end zone that remains inbounds is a live ball and must be returned or downed by the receiving team. It is a touchback and the dead ball spot is the 20- yard line if a kickoff or a safety kick:

エンドゾーンに飛び込み、インバウンズに残ったキックオフ、セーフティキックはライブボールであり、レシーブチームがリターンするかダウンしなければならない。キックオフ、セーフティキックが以下の場合、タッチバックであり、デッドボール地点は 20ydである。

(a) touches the ground or a player in the landing zone and is downed in the end zone by the receiving team or goes out of bounds behind the receiving team’s goal line;

ランディングゾーンで地面か選手に触れ、レシーブチームによってエンドゾーンでダウンするか、レシーブチームのゴールライン後方でアウト・オブ・バウンズに出た場合。

The dead ball spot is the 30-yard line if, without first touching the ground or a player in the landing zone, a kickoff or safety kick:

キックオフ、セーフティキックがランディングゾーンで地面か選手に触れずに以下の場合、デッドボール地点は30ydである。

(b) goes out of bounds behind the receiving team’s goal line;

レシーブチームのゴールライン後方でアウト・オブ・バウンズに出た場合。

レシーブチームのゴールポストのアップライトかクロスバーに当たった場合、又は

(d) lands at or beyond the goal line and is downed in the end zone by the receiving team.

ゴールライン上、又はそれを超えて着地し、レシーブチームによってエンドゾーンでダウンされた場合。

ARTICLE 6. ONSIDE KICK

At any time during the fourth period, the kicking team, if trailing its opponent, may declare an onside kick by notifying the Referee prior to the start of the play clock (25-second play clock after the Back Judge hands the kicker the ball). The Referee will then notify the receiving team before starting the play clock and the following rules will apply:

第4Q中いつでも、キックチームが劣勢の場合、プレイクロックの開始前に主審への通知でオンサイドキックを宣言出来る (バックジャッジがキッカーにボールを手渡してからの25秒のプレイクロック)。レフリーはプレイクロック開始前にレシーブチームに通知し、以下が適用される。

(a) An onside kick is defined as a free kick that the kicking team attempts to legally recover from the kicking team’s restraining line to the furthest point downfield within the onside kick setup zone (See definition of onside kick setup zone in (h) below).

オンサイドキックは、キックチームが自身の制限線からオンサイドキックセットアップゾーン内のダウンフィールドの最も遠い地点まで正当に回復しようとするフリーキックとして定義される。(オンサイドキックセットアップゾーンの定義は下記(h)参照)

(b) The restraining line for the kicking team on an onside kick is the kicking team’s 35-yard line or the kicking team’s 20-yard line for a safety kick unless either line is adjusted because of a distance penalty.

オンサイドキックの際のキックチームの制限線は、距離罰則に寄る移動が無い限り、キックチームの35yd、セーフティキックの場合はその20ydである。

(c) The following applies to kicking team players other than the kicker from the time the kicker begins his approach to the ball and until the ball is kicked:

キッカーがボールにアプローチを始めてからキックされるまで、キッカー以外のキックチームに以下が適用される。

(1) All kicking team players other than the kicker must be lined up with at least one foot on the yard line that is one yard behind the kicking team’s restraining line, and both feet must remain on the ground until the ball is kicked; and

キッカー以外全員、少なくとも片足をキックチームの制限線から1yd後方のヤードライン上に並べ、ボールが蹴られるまで両足を地面に着いたままでなければならない、且つ

(2) No more than five players of the kicking team may be on either side of the ball with the holder counting as one of the five on either side; and

キックチームはボールの両サイド各々に5名までであり、ホルダーはそのいずれかの5 人の内の1人として数えられ、且つ

(3) On each side of the ball, at least two players (other than a holder) must be lined up inbounds between the sideline and the bottom (outside) of the yard-line number, and at least two players (other than a holder) must be lined up between the top (inside) of the yard-line number and the inbounds lines.

ボールの両サイド各々に、少なくとも (ホルダーを除く) 2人がサイドラインとヤードラインナンバーの底部 (外側) との間のインバウンズに並ばなければならない、そして、少なくとも (ホルダーを除く) 2人がヤードラインナンバーの頭部 (内側) とインバウンドラインの間に並ばなければならない。

(d) All kicking team players must be inbounds and behind the ball when it is kicked, except:

以下の場合を除き、ボールが蹴られる時、キックチーム全員がインバウンズでボールの後方にいなければならない。

(1) The holder of a place kick may be beyond the line, and

プレースキックのホルダーは制限線を超えていてもよい、

(2) The kicker may be beyond the line, provided that his kicking foot is not beyond the line.

蹴り足が制限線を超えていない限り、キッカーは制限線を超えてもよい。

(e) A player of the kicking team may legally touch, catch, or recover the ball if:

キックチームは、以下の場合に正当にボールにタッチ、キャッチ、リカバーしてもよい。

(1) It first touches a receiving team player; or

先にレシーブチームの選手にタッチする、又は

(2) It reaches or crosses the receiving team’s restraining line.

レシーブチームの制限線に到達するか、越える。

(f) The ball is dead if it is caught or recovered by a player of the kicking team. If the catch or recovery is legal, the ball belongs to the kicking team at the dead ball spot.

キックチームがボールをキャッチ、リカバーした場合、ボールデッドとなる。キャッチ、リカバーが正当であれば、ボールはデッドボール地点でキックチームに所属する。

(g) The restraining line for the receiving team shall be the yard line 10 yards in advance of the kicking team’s restraining line

レシーブチームの制限線は、キックチームの制限線の10yd先のヤードラインとする。

(h) Until the ball is kicked, all receiving team players must be inbounds and behind their restraining line, and at least eight, but no more than nine, players must be positioned between their restraining line and a spot 15 yards behind their restraining line (the “onside kick setup zone”).

ボールを蹴られる迄は、レシーブチームは全員がインバウンズで制限線の後方にいなければならず、8～9人が自身の制限線とその15yd後方の地点の間にいなければならない。(オンサイドキックセットアップゾーン)

(i) If a player of the receiving team catches or recovers the ball, he may advance

レシーブチームがボールをキャッチ、リカバーしたら前進してもよい。

(j) If the ball comes to rest anywhere on the field, and no player attempts to possess it, the ball becomes dead and belongs to the receiving team at the dead ball spot.

ボールがフィールド上に留まり、誰もボールを確保しようとしない場合、ボールデッドとなり、デッドボールスポットでレシーブチームに所属する。

(k) If the onside kick goes untouched beyond the onside kick setup zone, the ball becomes dead and belongs to the receiving team.

オンサイドキックが、タッチされずにオンサイドキックセットアップゾーンを超えた場合、ボールはデッドとなり、レシーブチームに所属する。

Notes:

(1) A player is deemed to have not touched the ball if it is batted or illegally kicked into him by an opponent. Such touching is ignored, though the bat or kick could be a foul for an illegal bat or illegal kick.

プレーヤーは、彼に向けて相手選手がボールをバッティングしたり、不正に蹴られた場合、そのボールに触れていないとみなされる。このような接触は無視されるが、バッティングやキックが不正な場合は反則となりえる。

(2) For illegal catch or recovery, see 6-2-5.

不正なキャッチ、リカバーについては、6-2-5を参照。

Penalty:

For a player being beyond the restraining line when the ball is kicked (offside),

a player being out of bounds when the ball is kicked, or

either team being in an illegal formation when the ball is kicked: Loss of 5 yards.

罰則：

ボールが蹴られた時に選手が、

制限線を超えていた（オフサイド）、

アウト・オブ・バウンズにいた、又は

いずれかのチームが不正なフォーメーションだった

5yd罰退。

Penalty:

For an onside kick that goes untouched beyond the onside kick setup zone：

Loss of 15 yards from the kicking team’s restraining line and the receiving team takes possession.

罰則：

タッチされずにオンサイドキックセットアップゾーンを超えた場合：

キックチームの制限線から 15yd罰退とレシーブチームがポゼッションをとる。

ARTICLE 7. END OF FREE KICK.

A free kick ends when either team possesses the ball, or when the ball is dead, if that precedes possession. A running play begins when the receiving team establishes possession of the ball.

フリーキックは、何れかのチームがボールを確保した場合、又はボールデッドとなれば終了する。レシーブチームがボールを確保した時にランプレーは始まる。

SECTION 2 OTHER FREE KICK FOULS

ARTICLE 1. BLOCKING DURING A KICKOFF OR SAFETY KICK.

Item 1. Kicking Team.

After the ball hits or is touched in the landing zone or end zone, a kicking team player may legally block an opponent, and he may use his hands and arms to push or pull an opponent out of the way in a personal attempt to recover the ball or a receiver who is actively attempting to obstruct his attempt to proceed downfield. During the kick, the kicking team is subject to the blocking restrictions of the defense.

ボールがランディングゾーンかエンドゾーンに当たった後、又はタッチされた後、キックチームは正当に相手をブロックすることが出来、ボールを奪い返したり、ダウンフィールドへの侵入を妨害してくる相手を押したり、払いのけたりする為に手や腕を用いてもよい。キック中、キックチームはディフェンスのブロックの制限の対象となる。

Item 2. Receiving Team.

(a) Until the ball hits or is touched in the landing zone or end zone, no player of the receiving team may initiate a block against the kicking team.

ボールがランディングゾーンかエンドゾーンに当たるかタッチされるまで、レシーブチームのプレーヤーはキックチームに対してブロックを開始してはならない。

(b) During the kick, receiving team players are subject to the blocking restrictions of the offense (see 12-1-1 through 12-1-3), and they may use their hands/arms legally to push or pull an opponent out of the way in a personal attempt to recover the ball.

キック中、レシーブチームはオフェンスのブロックの制限の対象となり (12-1-1～12-1-3参照) ボールを奪い返す為に、正当に手や腕を用いて相手を押したり、払いのけたりしてもよい。

Penalty: For illegal blocking or use of hands by either team: Loss of 10 yards.

(c) A “double team block” is permissible only by players who were initially lined up in the setup zone at the time of the kick. A double team block is defined as two or more players who contact an opponent at the same time. Any other players may not participate in a double team block at any time during a kick or during a return.

"ダブルチームブロック"は、キック時に最初にセットアップゾーンに並んでいた選手のみに認められる。ダブルチームブロックは、同時に相手に接触する 2 人以上の選手として定義される。他の選手は、キック中またはリターン中のいかなる時点でもダブルチームブロックに参加出来ない。

(d) A “wedge block” is not permitted by any players at any time. A wedge block is defined as two or more players intentionally aligning shoulder-to-shoulder within two yards of each other, and who move forward together. The foul for a wedge block occurs at that point; actual contact with an opponent is not necessary.

"ウェッジブロック"は如何なる選手にも認められない。ウェッジブロックとは、2 人以上の選手が意図的に互いに2yd以内で肩を並べ、一緒に前進する事と定義される。ウェッジブロックの反則は行われた時点で発生し、相手との実際の接触は必要はない。

Penalty: For an illegal wedge block or an illegal double team block: Loss of 15 yards. If the foul occurs during the kick, enforcement is from the spot of the foul. If the foul occurs during the return, the penalty is enforced as customary. If the foul occurs in the receiving team’s end zone during the kick, it is enforced from the previous spot.

ARTICLE 2. BLOCKING DURING ONSIDE KICK.

Item 1. Kicking Team.

(a) Between the Restraining Lines (10 Yards). Until the ball is legally touched, a kicking team player may not block or use his hands or arms against an opponent between the restraining lines, except to push or pull aside a receiver who is actively attempting to obstruct his attempt to proceed downfield. After the ball is legally touched, a kicking team player may legally block an opponent, and he may use his hands and arms to push or pull an opponent out of the way in a personal attempt to recover the ball or a receiver who is actively attempting to obstruct his attempt to proceed downfield.

(b) At or Five Yards Beyond Receiving Team’s Restraining Line (Next Five Yards). Until the ball is legally touched or touches the ground, a kicking team player may not block or use his hands or arms against an opponent in the area that is at or no more than five yards beyond the receiving team’s restraining line, except to push or pull aside a receiver who is actively attempting to obstruct his attempt to proceed downfield. After the ball is legally touched or touches the ground, a kicking team player may legally block an opponent anywhere, and he may use his hands and arms to push or pull an opponent out of the way in a personal attempt to recover the ball.

(c) More than 15 Yards Beyond Kicking Team’s Restraining Line. The kicking team may legally block more than 15 yards beyond its restraining line.

Item 2. Receiving Team.

(a) First 15 Yards. Until the ball is legally touched or the ball hits the ground no player on the receiving team may initiate a block against the kicking team in the 15-yard area between the kicking team’s restraining line and five yards behind the receiving team’s restraining line.

(b) More than 15 Yards Beyond Kicking Team’s Restraining Line. The receiving team may legally block more than 15 yards beyond the kicking team’s restraining line.

(c) After the ball is kicked, receiving team players are subject to the blocking restrictions of the offense (see 12-1-1 through 12-1-3), and they may use their hands/arms legally to push or pull an opponent out of the way in a personal attempt to recover the ball.

(d) Double Team and Wedge Blocks. Restrictions in Article 1, Item 2(c) and (d) above and penalty enforcement for those blocks also apply to onside kicks.

Penalty: For illegal blocking on an onside kick or use of hands by either team: Loss of 10 yards.

ARTICLE 3. RUNNING INTO FREE KICKER.

A player of the receiving team is not permitted to run into the kicker before he recovers his balance. See also 12-2-8-i for personal fouls against the kicker.

Penalty: For running into the kicker: Loss of five yards.

ARTICLE 4.

FREE KICK OUT OF BOUNDS OR NOT REACHING THE LANDING ZONE.

The kicking team may not

(a) kick the ball out of bounds

(b) be the last to touch the ball before it goes out of bounds between the goal lines, or

If the receiving team is the last to touch the ball before it goes out of bounds, the receiving team puts the ball in play at the inbounds spot.

Penalty:

For a kickoff or onside kick out of bounds or a kickoff that lands or is touched in advance of the front yard line of the landing zone:

The receiving team may elect to take possession of the ball

25 yards from the spot of the kick at the inbounds line on the side of the field where the ball went out of bounds or lands or is touched short of the landing zone,

at the out of bounds spot,

at the spot where the ball lands or is touched in advance of the front yard line of the landing zone if less than 25 yards.

Penalty: For a safety kick out of bounds or a safety kick that lands or is touched in advance of the front yard line of the landing zone:

The receiving team may elect to take possession of the ball

30 yards from the spot of the kick at the inbounds line on the side of the field where the ball went out of bounds or lands or is touched short of the landing zone,

at the out of bounds spot,

at the spot where the ball lands or is touched in advance of the front yard line of the landing zone if less than 30 yards.

ARTICLE 5. FREE KICK ILLEGALLY TOUCHED.

Item 1. Ball Reaches Restraining Line During Onside Kick.

A player of the kicking team may not touch, catch, or recover the ball before it has reached the receiving team’s restraining line, unless it has first been touched by a receiving team player.

Penalty: For illegal touching of an onside kick by the kicking team: Loss of five yards, or the receiving team takes possession of the ball at the spot of the illegal touch.

Item 2. Player Out of Bounds.

If a kicking team player goes out of bounds during the kick, either of his own volition or by being legally forced out of bounds, he may not touch or recover the ball beyond the receiving team’s restraining line on an onside kick or in the landing zone or end zone on all other free kicks, unless it has first been touched by a receiving team player. If a kicking team player touches the ball before reestablishing himself legally inbounds, it is a free kick out of bounds.

Penalty: For illegal touching of a free kick by the kicking team: Loss of five yards.

ARTICLE 6. PLAYER VOLUNTARILY OUT OF BOUNDS ON A FREE KICK.

Prior to the ball being touched by the receiving team or the end of the kick, it is a foul if a kicking team player voluntarily goes out of bounds (without being contacted by a receiving team player) to avoid a block.

Penalty: For voluntarily going out of bounds on a free kick without contact: Loss of 5 yards.

SECTION 3 ENFORCEMENT OF FOULS

ARTICLE 1. ENFORCEMENT FROM PREVIOUS SPOT.

If there is a foul during a free kick, enforcement is from the previous spot, and the free kick is made again. However, if the kicking team commits a foul prior to the end of the kick, and the receiving team retains possession throughout the down, it will have the option of enforcing the penalty at the previous spot and replaying the down or adding the penalty yardage to the dead ball spot. The dead ball spot for free kicks that result in a touchback is the 20-yard line or 30-yard line (See Section 1, Article 5 above).

Exceptions:

(a) A foul for an illegal double team block, or an illegal wedge block, during the kick is enforced from the spot of the foul or the previous spot if it occurs in Team B’s end zone;

(b) For a free kick out of bounds or not reaching the landing zone, see Section 2, Article 4; or

Note:

(1) In (a) above, if the foul is not part of a double foul and the opponent has possession at the end of the down, the foul may be enforced from the dead ball spot. See 14-2-4.