THE
CANADIAN RULE BOOK
FOR TACKLE
FOOTBALL
RULE 5
-KICKING
(a)
A kicked ball is one struck by
a player’s foot, or leg below the knee. If
the ball accidentally strikes a player’s foot or leg while he is attempting to
gain possession, it shall be ruled as a fumble if, in the official’s judgment,
the player made no effort to kick the ball.
(b)
A drop kick is made by
dropping the ball from the hands and kicking it just as it rebounds from the
ground.
(c)
A place kick is made by
kicking the ball while it is held on the ground by a Team A player, who shall be
considered “offside” with reference to the position of the ball.
A tee may be used provided that the lowest point of the ball is not more
than 1 inch above the ground.
(d)
A punt is made by dropping the
ball from the hands and kicking it before it touches the ground.
(e)
A dribbled ball or flying
kick is made by kicking the ball when it is loose, not in possession of any
player.
(f)
A return kick is one that is
made by a player after he has received the ball from a punt, drop or place kick
from an opponent.
(g)
A quick kick is a kick from
scrimmage where the kicker does not take the normal kicking position.
(h)
An open field kick is a kick which is made after the ball has been
advanced across the line of scrimmage, or after a team recovers a fumble by the
opponents.
(i)
Blocking below the waist is making the initial contact below the waist
against an opponent other than the ball carrier, with any part of
the blocker’s body.
On all kick off's the ball may be held,
placed on the ground, or placed on a tee, provided that the lowest point of the
ball is not more than 1 inch above the ground.
The ball shall be kicked off by a place
kick from any point between the hash marks on Team A’s:
(a) 45 yard line – at the start of the first and third periods, or after
any touchdown, or at the start of any overtime period.
(b)
45-yard line – after a field goal scored by Team A, or the team scored
against may elect to kick off, or scrimmage from its own 35 yard line.
(c)
Line 10 yards back form the centre line of the field where the distance
between goal lines is less than regulation.
(d)
35 yard line – after a safety touch the scoring team may:
1.
Require the team scored against to kick off from their own 35 yard line
OR
2.
Kick off from their own 35 yard line, OR
3.
Scrimmage at their own 35 yard line.
Note:
Any penalty distance to be applied on the kick off, from a penalty called
on the previous scrimmage play, will be applied at the above points.
The neutral zone on a kick off is the
area from the line of kick off to the line 10 yards in advance of the line of
kick off, from sideline to sideline.
(a) The ball must be kicked at least 10 yards toward the opponent’s goal,
unless it is touched first by an opponent.
Penalty: 1.
For touching the ball illegally – B option – L5 kick off repeated or
option.
2.
For recovering the ball illegally, or touching it illegally and
recovering it, or for touching it illegally
and/or touching it last before it
goes out of bounds
-B options
- L5 kick off repeated or option
- B Possession as 1 D at the point of Recovery by Team A, or at
the out-of-bounds
point.
(b)
The
ball shall not go out of bounds at the sideline unless touched by a player.
Penalty:
B option
- L5 Kick off repeated
- Possession at the out of bounds point.
-
Possession 25 yards in advance of point of kick off.
(c)
The ball shall not go out of bounds in the end zone in flight without
being touched by a player.
Penalty:
Regulation End Zone -
Receiving Team will scrimmage at any point between the hash marks on its
10-yard line, no option.
Non-Regulation End Zone - the receiving team will scrimmage at any
point between the hash marks on
its
10-yard line, no option.
(d)
The ball shall not strike the goal post assembly in flight before it is
touched by a player. The ball is immediately
dead.
Penalty:
Team B will scrimmage at any point between the hash marks on its own
20-yard line, no option
(e)
If Team B fails to advance the ball out of the end zone, or the kick off
lands inbounds, and then goes out of bounds
in the end zone, Team A scores 1
point.
(a)
At the instant the ball is kicked off, players of Team A shall not be in
advance of the ball, except the player who may be holding the ball for the kick
off or the kicker who is always considered to be onside.
Penalty:
L5, kick off repeated
(b)
Until the ball is kicked, players of team B must remain on their own side
of the neutral zone.
Penalty:
L5 to Team B, Kick off repeated.
(a)
On a kick off, Team B players may interfere with any opponent within
bounds, after the ball is kicked, until it is declared dead, provided that the
initial contact is made at or above the waist.
(b)
On a kick off, if Team A legally recovers the ball, or a Team B fumble,
Team A players may interfere with any opponent anywhere within bounds, provided
that the initial contact is made at or above the waist.
Penalty:
1. Ball in possession of either Team
Holding, Blocking below the waist – L10 PBH or option
Blocking from the rear – L15 PBH or option
UR or RP – L15 or 25 PBH or PBD
2.
Ball in flight.
Holding, Blocking below the waist, Illegal block
- L10 point where
possession is gained or option.
Blocking from the rear
- L15 point where possession gained or
option.
UR or RP
- L15 or 25 point where possessing gained or PBD.
Note: If, after the infraction, possession is gained in the end zone by B, the
appropriate penalty distance shall be applied from the B 10 yard line or option.
(c)
On a kick off, Team A players may use their hands and arms to word off
blockers, and may use their bodies in blocking against players protecting the
ball carrier provided that the initial contact is made at or above the waist.
Any other form of blocking by Team A players is illegal interference.
Penalty:
Ball in flight–
1.
Foul in area of PP, or which affects the gaining of possession by B
- Possession to Team B at
PF.
2.
Foul in area remote from PP, where the A players is not attempting to
prevent possession form
being obtained
- L10 PP.
Note:
If after the foul, possession is gained in the end zone by B, the penalty
shall be applied at the B 10 yard
line, or
option.
1. Ball in possession –
L10 PBH
A blocked kick is a kick from scrimmage
where, after being kicked, the ball is prevented from crossing the line of
scrimmage because of contact with an opponent, or with a player of Team A who is
offside. It is not a blocked kick
if , after the ball is so contacted, the ball then crosses the line of
scrimmage. This is a deflected
kick, and the touching of the ball shall be disregarded.
On a return kick, a blocked kick is one
where the ball is touched by an opponent simultaneously with or immediately
following the ball being kicked, and the ball then travels in a direction
parallel to or in the direction, of the kicking team’s dead line.
It is not a blocked kick if, after the
ball is so contacted, it then travels in the direction of the opponents’ dead
line. The touching of the ball
shall be disregarded, and all ruling in respect to the restraining zone and
interference are similar to those for a punt crossing the line of scrimmage.
If the ball is blocked, and is legally
recovered in bounds by:
a) Team B - 1st
D – PBD
b) Team A - 1.2D –
downs
continue unless yards are gained.
- 3D DG – normal 1st down PBD.
- 3D DNG – LB PBD.
When Team A legally recovers a blocked
kick, the continuing play shall be considered as any other play from scrimmage
and the blocked kick disregarded. A
forward pass may be thrown, and all rulings applicable to a forward pass shall
be enforced (Subject to Rule 4, Section 3,
Article 3).
If Team B recovers the blocked kick, and
then loses possession to Team A, a forward pass by either team is illegal.
Exception: This does not apply on a
convert attempt.
When Team B legally recovers a blocked
kick, Team B players may interfere with any opponent anywhere within bounds,
provided that the initial contact is made at or above the waist.
Blocking by Team A players to break up interference is also legal
provided that the initial contact is made at or above the waist.
Where a kick is blocked and the ball
goes out of bounds in the field of play:
Last Touched by Team A –
1.2D – possession retained by A, downs
continue unless the required distance is gained. The point of next down is 24 yards in from the sideline, at
the point of last touching by A, or the point where the ball went out of bounds,
whichever is closer to the A goal line.
3D – possession awarded to Team B,
unless the required distance is gained, 24 yards in form the sideline at the
point of last touching by A, or the point where the ball went out of bounds,
whichever is closer to the A goal line.
Last Touched by Team B –
1.2.3D – possession awarded to team B
1st down, 24 yards in form the sideline at the point of last touching
by B, or at the point where the ball went out of bounds whichever is closer to
the B goal line.
(a)
When a kick is blocked in the field of play, or in the end zone, and the
ball goes dead in A possession in the end zone or is touched by last by A before
going out of bounds in the end zone.
1.2D - 2 points safety touch to B
3D - B Option
- 2 points (safety touch) OR
- B Possession at PLS.
(b) When a kick is blocked on the field of play, or in the end zone, and the
ball goes out of bounds in the end zone without again being touched, or is
kicked out of bounds in the end zone by B or after being last touched by B in
the end zone, before going out of bounds.
1.2.3D - B option -
2 points (safety touch) OR
- B possession
at PLS
(c)
When a kick is blocked on the field of play and, after being blocked, the
ball is touched by a B player on the field of play, and continues on into the
end zone, and the ball
(1)
Goes dead in A possession in the end zone, or is last touched by an A
player in the end zone before the ball goes out of bounds in the end zone.
-1.2D - 2 points (safety touch) to B
- 3D -
B option - 2 points (safety touch) OR
- B possession, 1D at the
point where B last touched the ball on the field of play.
(2)
Goes out of bounds in the end zone without again being touched, or after
being last touched by B in the
end zone.
1.2.3D - B option - 2 points (safety touch) OR
- B possession at
the point where B last touched the ball on the field of play.
(d) When a kick is blocked on the field of play, and after being blocked, is
directed (not kicked) into the end zone from the field of play by a B player,
this will be treated as an offside pass by Team B. If the ball
(1)
Goes dead in A possession in the end zone, or is touched last by an A
player in the end zone before the ball goes out of bounds in the end zone .
1.2D
- A 1D at the 10 yard line
(no score)
3D -
B 1D at the point where B last touched the ball on the field of play.
(2) Goes out of bounds in the end zone, without again being touched, or after
being last touched by B in the end
zone.
1.2.3D -
B 1D at the point where B last touched the ball on the field of play.
(e)
When a return kick by Team B is blocked by Team A in the B end zone, and
the ball goes dead in the B end zone, in B possession, or goes out of bounds in
the B end zone, either directly or after being touched by A or B, a score or 1
or 2 points as appropriate is awarded to Team A.
A player may not use the body of another
player anywhere in bounds in any way to elevate himself in an attempt to block a
punt, field goal, or convert attempt.
Penalty: L5 PLS
(Punt,
Place or Drop Kick)
In the application of this section, the
benefit of any doubt shall be given to the receiver.
This article does not apply to a
dribbled ball, or a kick, which does not cross the LS.
On a kick from scrimmage, on which the
ball crosses the line of scrimmage, or on a return kick, or on an open field
kick, a player who is offside in relation to his kicker:
(a)
shall not touch the ball first.
(b)
shall allow 5 yards for an opponent (in motion or standing still) to
receive the ball, or to gain possession of the ball on
the ground and not in
possession of a player.
Penalty: Field of Play - Ball awarded 1st down to non-offending team,
15 yards in advance of the point where
the
ball was first
touched.
End
Zone - In
opponent’s end zone – ball awarded to non-offending team at any point
between
the hash marks on its 15-yard line.
-
In own end zone – option to
non-offending team of the applicable score, or of taking
possession as 1D at the 10-yard line.
NOTE: For players at levels of football lower than college or junior, league
executives may wish to reduce
the
severity of the above penalty to 10 yards.
A penalty in the opponents’ end zone may be awarded at
the
10
yard
line.
Field officials should be notified in writing or any such variations in
order to
maintain
consistency for the teams.
The 5-yard restraining zone is the
circular area of 5 yards radius, the centre point of which is the ball when it
is first touched by a player of either team.
The position of the ball when it is
first touched shall determine whether the foul is committed in the end zone.
(a)
If a player within the restraining area through no intent of his own is
trying to withdraw, and does not interfere with the play, he shall not be
penalized.
(b)
If a scrimmage kick crosses the line of scrimmage, or a return kick,
strikes the ground, and bounces back so that an opponent, or opponents, are
within the restraining zone through no intent of their own, and are trying to
withdraw, the restraining zone violation will be signaled, but no distance
penalty shall be applied. The ball will be put into play by the receiving team at the
point of foul, or at the PBD (if possession is retained), at the option of the
receiving team or at the receiving team’s 10-yard line if the foul occurs in
the end zone.
(c)
A scrimmage kick which travels only a short distance across the line of
scrimmage, or a return kick (not including a dribbled ball) which is short, and
thereby prevents players of the kicker’s team from giving the required
distance, shall be whistled dead as soon as the ball touches a player or the
ground, with possession awarded to the receiving team.
In obvious situations where
the kick will clearly fall short into a group of players, the play may be
whistled dead as soon as the ball begins to descend.
No distance penalty will be assessed, but if the ball is whistled dead
from the end zone in this manner on the final play of a half, the receiving team
shall be entitled to 1 play from scrimmage if they so elect.
The ball should
NOT be whistled dead on any such short kick, if it is dropping into the end
zone.
(d)
A scrimmage kick from the end zone, which does not leave the end zone,
shall not be whistled dead. A
return kick from the end zone, which does not leave the end zone, shall not be
whistled dead, and the non-offending team shall be awarded a score if a
restraining zone foul is committed. In
either case, the receiving team may recover the ball in the end zone for a
touchdown.
Penalty: Option to non-offending
team of:
Score
- Scrimmage Kick – 2 points.
- Return Kick – 1 point.
OR Possession - 1D at
10 yard line
(e)
An offside player who is within the restraining zone and contacts the
receiver before he touches the ball, shall be penalized for UR or RP in addition
to the restraining zone foul, unless in the opinion of the official, the contact
was incidental and unavoidable
(f)
The kicker or onside player may be the first player to legally enter the
restraining zone to recover the ball. No
contact shall be made with the opposing receiver, except in a legitimate attempt
to recover the ball, and all other contact by the kicker or onside player is
illegal.
Penalty: Ball awarded
1st down at PF.
(g)
If an offside player is within the restraining zone, no onside player may
legally recover the ball, provided that there is at least one player of the
receiving team within the restraining zone when the ball is first touched by any
player.
(h)
If, under this article, the ball is motionless on the ground, and the
receiver feints as if to pick up the ball.
(i)
He may be tackled without penalty
(ii)
If he touches the ball first, whoever recovers the ball shall retain
possession.
(iii)
If the tackler touches the ball first, it shall be whistled dead, and
possession awarded to the receiving team at
that point, with no distance
penalty.
(i) If a scrimmage kick is in the end zone, and before it is touched by an
opponent, a player of the kicking team illegally recovers or touches the ball
without attempting to allow an opponent to recover it, the restraining zone
violation shall be called, but the penalty will be:
(i) No score.
(ii)
Opponent’s ball, 1D at the 35, or at the PLS if the ball entered the
end zone as a result as a result of a
missed
field goal, where the PLS was
outside the 35.
Article 4 – Goal
Post Assembly
A kicked ball which strikes the
opponent’s goal post assembly in flight shall be dead immediately and awarded
to the receiving team; 1st down, at any point between the hash marks
on its 20 yard line.
A kicked ball which strikes the
opponent’s goal post assembly after striking the ground, a player, or an
official, or a kicked ball which strikes the kicking team’s goal post assembly
shall remain in play.
On a field goal or convert attempt, if
the ball strikes the goal post assembly, but still goes over the crossbar and
between the uprights, the score shall count.
If it does not score, the ball shall be
put into play:
(a)
after Missed Field Goal – at any point between the hash marks on the 20
yard line.
(b)
after Missed Convert – normal kick off.
(a)
Players of the receiving team may interfere with any player of the
kicking team who has crossed the line of scrimmage, provided that the initial
contact is made at or above the waist. Such interference will be legal from the
time the ball is snapped, until it is declared dead.
Penalty:
1. Before A loses possession
-
apply penalty at PLS.
-
apply Unnecessary Roughness or Rough Play at the PLS, Point of
Possession, or PBD, at option of
non-offending team
2. Ball in Flight
- apply penalty at
Point of Possession.
- apply Unnecessary Roughness and Rough Play at Point of Possession or PBD
(NOTE 1)
3. After possession gained
- apply penalty at PBH
(Note 4)
- apply Unnecessary Roughness or Rough Play at PBH or PBD.
NOTE
1. Exception to item 2: Unnecessary Roughness or Rough Play against the
Kicker may be applied at the
PP,
PBD, or at the PLS, at the option of Team A.
Interference with the kicker behind the neutral
zone
will be applied at the PP,
and is not additive to any other penalty except those in
Rule 8, Section 1, Article 4b.
:
Contacting the kicker shall be applied at the PLS.
NOTE
2. If possession is gained in the end zone, the penalty shall be applied
from the 10
yard line
or
from PBD
or PLS if applicable (see
Article 5).
NOTE
3. If a kicked ball lands and is loose in the end zone before possession is
gained by B, and a B foul
occurs in the end zone, Team A shall be awarded a
rouge (1 point) or option.
NOTE
4. As soon as the ball is touched by the receiving team, the line of
scrimmage and the neutral zone lose
any significance with respect to the
interference rules.
NOTE
5. If the foul occurs in the end zone, with the PBH in the end zone, Team A
shall be awarded a rouge
or
a safety touch (1 or 2 points), as applicable or
option.
(b)
The kicker shall not be interfered with behind the neutral zone, until
the receiving team has touched the
ball.
Exception:
On a quick kick, the kicker does not receive this protection.
Penalty:
1.2.3D – L10PP.
Players of the team receiving a return
kick may interfere with any opponent, including the kicker, from the time the
ball is kicked, provided that the initial contact is made at or above the waist,
until the ball is declared dead.
Penalty: 1.
Ball in flight
-
apply penalty at Point of Possession
- apply Unnecessary Roughness or Rough Play at Point of Possession, or
PBD.
NOTE:
If the PP is in the end zone, the penalty will be applied from the 10
yard line or PBD if applicable.
2.
After possession gained
- apply penalty at PBH.
- apply
Unnecessary Roughness or Rough Play at PBH or PBD.
NOTE
1. If
the PBH is in the end zone, the penalty shall be applied form the 10yard line
or PBD if applicable
(see Article 5).
NOTE
2. If
the foul occurs in the end zone, with the PBH in the end zone, the non-offending
team shall be
awarded a rouge or safety touch (1 or 2 points) as applicable, or
option.
NOTE
3. If
a kicked ball lands and is loose in the end zone before possession is gained,
and a foul occurs in
the
end zone, the non-offending team shall be awarded a
rouge (1 point), or option.
Players of the kicking team may block
any opponent to the limit of the neutral zone, may use their hands and arms to
ward off blockers interfering with their approach to the ball carrier, while
proceeding downfield, and may use their bodies in blocking against players
protecting the ball carrier provided that the initial contact is made at or
above the waist. Any other
interference is illegal.
Penalty: Ball in possession of A – L10 PLS DR.
Ball in flight – L10 PP.
Ball in possession of B – L10 PBH.
NOTE:
If the point of application is the PP or PBH, and these points are in the
B end zone, the point of application shall be the B 10 yard line (see Article
5).
If the kicker or onside player legally
recovers the kick, all players of that team may legally interfere with the
opponents after such recovery, provided that the initial contact is at or above
the waist.
Penalty:
Blocking below the waist - 1.2D
L10 PLS DR or PBH
-
3D
DG L10 PLS DR
-
3D
DNG LB, PBD
In the above articles, when a penalty is
applied at the 10-yard line, Team A may scrimmage the ball at any point between
the hash marks, on the line where the ball is placed after the penalty
application.
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