Need a ruling please...

At the end of the first half of the Ardrey Kell vs. Weddington game Friday night there was a personal foul against AK as time expired. I understand the ruling to extend the period. What I don't understand is the "free kick" scenario.

I'm just a simple country boy from Texas - can some learned colleague please do some "splainin" for me???

BTW - nice 57 yard field goal!

 

I dont have the slightest idea of the fouls...However, I do know that if it was a defensive penalty, the offense will get one untimed down.


The Free Kick
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_catch_kick

The fair catch kick is a little-known, rarely used rule in some forms of American football that allows a team, after making a fair catch of an opponent's kick, to attempt a field goal freely from the spot of the catch.

I saw it used once at Fat Friday (Freedom vs East Burke in 2003) when after a made catch, East Burke lined up in kickoff formation for a 40 yard field goal (ball spotted at the 30). The announcer stated that if it went through the uprights it would be a field goal, and that it could be returned for a touchdown if it fell short and did not enter the end zone. It fell short by 3-4 yards.

 

Check this free kick out


http://www.faniq.com/blog/Video-Kip-Smith-Kicks-High-School-Record-67Yard-Field-Goal-Blog-28906

 

Nice kick, but...

That was not the situation in this case. The offense had run a play and the defense was guilty of a personal foul (roughing the passer) as time expired in the first half. Play was extended for one untimed down - and that's where it gets fuzzy.

The offense lined up and it appears the referee stepped in and spoke to the QB (Anthony Boone from Weddington) and mentioned something to him. They called time out and then came out in field goal formation. The referree went to the AK sideline and obviously told them that they needed to back up and not rush the kick -

The kicker lined up "kick off" distance from the holder and booted a 57 yarder.

Very strange.

 

Replay on Channel 55

If you want to see it "live" you can watch the HS game of the week on Channel 55 (myTV12.com) -

 

Rule 6-5-4. '09 NFHS rule book
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The captain may choose to free kick or snap anywhere between the inbounds line on the yard line through the spot of the catch when a fair catch is made or through the spot of interference, when a fair catch is awarded. These choices remain if a dead-ball foul occurs prior to the down, or a foul or an inadvertent whistle occurs during the down and the down is replayed.
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So maybe the play before was a fair catch or awarded fair catch, giving Weddington the 'option' of a free kick & chance to score. And as stated there was a foul which meant Weddington 'STILL' has the option of a 'free kick' after a fair catch because of the penalty.
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Really this is a rule that 'good' kicking teams should take advantage of. If this is the case, good coaching on Weddingtons parts to use it because they obviously have a kicker capable of hitting it from long distance.
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And maybe this is why the referee was 'talking' to the coach and explaining he still had options after a fair catch.
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And YES you can Tee it up just like a kick off & score, with NO RUSH! Would be a touch back if kick was no good going into the endzone. Would have loved to have seen it live, bet some in the crowd was calling the officials all kinds of names.
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I hope this helps & is the described play which lead to your question.

 

Thanks - but...

I appreciate the explanation Iron - and I understand that rule and see why it would make sense to be aware of it as a coach.

In this case the play came after a scrimmage down in which the offense (Weddington) ran a pass play. Defense (AK) was guilty of roughing the passer as time expired in the 2nd quarter.

Weddington actually lined up to run another play and that's when the confusion started. The referee actually walked up to Anthony Boone (Weddington QB) and said something to him. Boone called time out and went to the sideline. Next thing you know - the kicking team came out and lined up for a 57 yard field goal.

The referee then went and talked to the AK defensive coordinator and (I assume) told him to back the defense up and watch without rushing. They stood about 10 yards from the scrimmage line - still as a statue - with a couple of guys in the end zone - and watched the kick sail through. I have no idea what would have happened if the kick had fallen short and AK caught it -- would it have been live?

OK - full disclosure -- I officiated football in Texas for many years before moving to NC. In Texas they play by NCAA rules - one of only two states to do so - with all of the other states playing by National Federation rules in High School. Admittedly and obviously I don't know this rule - but I assure you it is not in the NCAA football rules (unless it changed recently).

Anyway --- fun discussion --- I guess I'll have to find me a rules guru somewhere!