For Someone Who Knows the NFL Rulebook

[Typ0]

There is a new rule where someone can pick up a missed FG attempt in the end zone and run it back. Are there any rules governing what this person standing in the end-zone can do? Can he block the kick? Can he climb up on the goalposts and block the kick? I know it sounds stupid but what is stopping him?

[LtBillsFan66]

He can. I saw it attempted once. I forget what game and when. But the announcers said that it was ok.

[LtBillsFan66]

Plus I'm not sure if running back a missed FG is new. Aaron Glenn did it a few years ago.

[venis2k1]

If you catch the missed FG, it is legal. But if it hits the ground, the ball is dead

[WG]

Typ0,

Good point. B/c on longer FG tries, it would make sense for the defenders to leave a very tall person "minding the net" as it were. Right in front of the goal posts to try and leap and knock away a "barely" kick.

I'm sure it's illegal to touch or climb on them however.

[Judge]

HERE's the rule from nfl.com:

13. Defensive team may advance all kicks from scrimmage (including unsuccessful field goal) whether or not ball crosses defensive team’s goal line. Rules pertaining to kicks from scrimmage apply until defensive team gains possession.

=================

It doesn't say that the ball has to be caught in the air, or make any other restrictions. The defensive team can advance the missed kick if it wants- the offensive team (the punting or FG team) cannot advance the ball unless/until the defensive team touches it first.

[Fat Tony]

Kicks from scrimmage
1. Any kick from scrimmage must be made from behind the line to be legal.

2. Any punt or missed field goal that touches a goal post is dead.

3. During a kick from scrimmage, only the end men, as eligible receivers on the line of scrimmage at the time of the snap, are permitted to go beyond the line before the ball is kicked.

Exception:
An eligible receiver who, at the snap, is aligned or in motion behind the line and more than one yard outside the end man on his side of the line, clearly making him the outside receiver, replaces that end man as the player eligible to go downfield after the snap. All other members of the kicking team must remain at the line of scrimmage until the ball has been kicked.


4. Any punt that is blocked and does not cross the line of scrimmage can be recovered and advanced by either team. However, if offensive team recovers it must make the yardage necessary for its first down to retain possession if punt was on fourth down.

5. The kicking team may never advance its own kick even though legal recovery is made beyond the line of scrimmage. Possession only.

6. A member of the receiving team may not run into or rough a kicker who kicks from behind his line unless contact is:

(a)
Incidental to and after he had touched ball in flight.

(b)
Caused by kicker's own motions.

(c)
Occurs during a quick kick, or a kick made after a run, or after kicker recovers a loose ball. Ball is loose when kicker muffs snap or snap hits ground.

(d)
Defender is blocked into kicker.


The penalty for running into the kicker is 5 yards. For roughing the kicker: 15 yards, an automatic first down and disqualification if flagrant.

7. If a member of the kicking team attempting to down the ball on or inside opponent's 5-yard line carries the ball into the end zone, it is a touchback.

8. Fouls during a punt are enforced from the previous spot (line of scrimmage).

Exception:
Illegal touching, illegal fair catch, invalid fair catch signal, and fouls by the receiving team during loose ball after ball is kicked.


9. While the ball is in the air or rolling on the ground following a punt or field goal attempt and receiving team commits a foul before gaining possession, receiving team will retain possession and will be penalized for its foul.

10. It will be illegal for a defensive player to jump or stand on any player, or be picked up by a teammate or to use a hand or hands on a teammate to gain additional height in an attempt to block a kick (Penalty: 15 yards, unsportsmanlike conduct).

11. A punted ball remains a kicked ball until it is declared dead or in possession of either team.

12. Any member of the punting team may down the ball anywhere in the field of play. However, it is illegal touching (Official's time out and receiver's ball at spot of illegal touching). This foul does not offset any foul by receivers during the down.

13. Defensive team may advance all kicks from scrimmage (including unsuccessful field goal) whether or not ball crosses defensive team's goal line. Rules pertaining to kicks from scrimmage apply until defensive team gains possession.

A field goal is treated just like a punt. whatever rules apply on a punt, apply on a FG. Remember 10 years ago when Leon Lett botched a Dallas victory by touching a missed Miami FG? Miami was playing the Cowboys on Thanksgiving day with about 4 inches of snow on the field. Miami was down, 14-13 with about 15 seconds left and they botched the 40 some yard FG attempt. The ball sputtered down to the 5 yard line and stupid Leon Lett of the Cowboys tries to fall on it. He should have just let it go. But he fell on the ball, it squirted free, and Miami then recovered it . They Kicked again from point blank range and won, 16-13.

Swinging off the goalposts is also Illegal. For one, the Goalposts are out of bounds, and a player out of bounds can't participate in the play. There is also a rule about "Leverage". A player can't , for example, block a kick by artificially jumping on, or using, things like another player or equipment. (Like throwing a shoe or helmet at a kicker while he kicks)

[Cntrygal]

When 6b & d happens flags fly.

[Typ0]

I think we need Minute Bowl on our team.

[Dozerdog]

Manute Bol?

How about Yao Ming?

[SABURZFAN]

rules are made to be broken.