Rules question re Alabama's on-side kick

quote:

---

the kicker's planted (L) foot was about half-yard ahead of the 35 yardline

---

I noticed this as well. According to this rules as I understand them that is offsides.

Jesus, people:

1. Kicker can be past the line when kicking.
2. It’s only grounding if the QB is under duress. Not under duress when spiking.
3. Exception made in rules for holder during kicks.

This is an exception to the offside rule. Many rules have exceptions to cover specific situations. All exceptions include very limited actions on the part of the player. Note: I am a high school football official. Broadcasters and coaches are not rules experts.

Just to consolidate again and add one caveat.

1. There is an exception in the rules for kickers and holder(for those really windy days) on kickoffs regarding offsides.

2. The QB is allowed to spike in order to stop the clock and not be called for grounding but cannot fake or do anything to simulate an actual play first.

3. In college, by rule, the holder is not considered down when on one knee (unless touched by a defender, of course) and can toss the ball to a teammate from that position. In high school, the rule is different. The holder is not down on one knee provided the kick occurs but is down if he attempts to pitch the ball to a teammate while on his knee. This occurred this year in a game between Lafayette Christian and Evangel.

It's supposed to be a violation.
It's stupid officiating and it makes it simple to get an effective kick to that side.

I'm glad you asked that. I had the exact same question.

I'm 53 and when I played, there was no exception for the holder so he had to squat over his back foot with his lead foot stretched forward so his knee was not down on the snap. Also to clock the ball the qb had to throw it out of bounds. Good rule changes. I know. I'm old