This edition of the official playing rules of the national football league contains all current rules governing the playing of professional football that are in effect for the 2011 nfl season. Rule 12 player conduct section 1 blocking, use of hands, arms, and body legal and illegal block article 1 a player of either team may block obstruct or impede an opponent at any time, provided that. The drop kick remains in the nfls official rule book, even though it. The nfl made make major rule changes to save the kickoff. Where the word illegal appears in this rule book, it is an institutional term of art pertaining strictly to actions that violate nfl playing rules. It is performed when the kicker lets the ball drop to the ground, and then kicks it when it bounces back into the air. Kick behind line of scrimmage article 1 team a may attempt a punt, drop kick, or placekick from behind the line of scrimmage. It is not meant to connote illegality under any public law. How nfl coaches are outsmarting the rule book more often than ever the nfl s rule book is complexsometimes too complexbut the leagues best coaches have learned how to. Nfl rewrites dez bryant rule and it might actually be more. Packers take advantage of ridiculous nfl rule to magically make kickoff go out of bounds. For a punt, drop kick, or placekick that is kicked from beyond the line of scrimmage or not.
The ball was placed on the twoandahalf yard line for an action point. That is really a shame because it makes the definitive source for all these rulings on the field less accessible to an average reader. Rule 3, section 18, article 1, item 1 defines the dropkick as, a kick by a player who drops the ball and kicks it as, or immediately after, it touches the ground. Dec 05, 2016 yes, the drop kick is still legal in the nfl rulebook rule 3, section 18, article 1, item 1 defines the dropkick as a kick by a player who drops the ball and kicks it as, or immediately after, it touches the ground. So this begs the question why is the dropkick still in the book. It is not meant to connote illegality under any public law or the rules or regulations of any other organization. Member clubs of the league may amend the rules from time to time, pursuant to the applicable voting procedures of the nfl constitution and bylaws. Seahawks michael dickson attempts dropkick kickoff. Doug flutie converted the nfl s only successful drop kick since 1941. The nfl made major rule changes to save the kickoff, but its days still seem numbered. The arizona cardinals dusted off a littleused page of the nfl rule book sunday and gave their kicker a shot at history. Nov 18, 2016 in the nfl rule book, there are secrets waiting to be mined, and the best head coaches are digging deep. The drop kick has been in the rule book since the inception of the league, but really hasnt been used since the 40s with a couple of minor exceptions doug fluties extra point in ne, recent drop kick in baltimore.
The kick was once in wide use in both australian rules football and gridiron. Cowboys pass on chance for points via obscure fair catch kick rule down eight at the end of the first half, the cowboys could have tried for three points but didnt. Oct 01, 2010 hopefully the nfl commissioner will read this and act accordingly. In 2006, new england patriots quarterback doug flutie converted a drop kick for an extra point after a fourthquarter touchdown against the miami dolphins. Evolution of the nfl rules nfl football operations. Its a dinosaur that hasnt be excised from the rules, but generates buzz in the rare couple of times it has been used. I dont like to wade through the nfl rule book, but my gut says that the other team might get its choice of taking possession from where it was kicked or where it wound up after the return. The drop kick remains in the nfls official rule book, even though it hadnt been successfully converted in decades. However, instead of doing a straight punt, the punter drop kicks the ball. We have occasionally seen our kicker here and a few others kick off into the end zone, even with the 5 extra yards. You are allowed to score a field goal or extra point by using either a place kick or a drop kick. Nfl says ravens drop kick was illegal, john harbaugh says. The type of punt leads to different motion of the football. Rule 10 section 2 article 4 of the nfl rulebook shows that there are two ways to put the ball in play after a fair catch is called.
Section 2, article 4, putting ball in play after fair catch states. The dropkick is still in the nfl rule book but its become a dinosaur pretty much since the shape of the ball was changed in the 40s. Instead of kicking an extra point normally, a player takes the snap and, anywhere behind the line of scrimmage, drops the ball. Seattle seahawks punter michael dickson attempts dropkick. Please note that nfl digital care representatives are unable to answer requests regarding specific rules or play calls, and have no contact with those involved in the rule changing process. Its still in the nfl rule book today but hasnt been done since flutie pulled it off against the miami dolphins the dolphins won, regardless of fluties cool move. Jul 24, 2015 nfl rewrites dez bryant rule and it might actually be more confusing dez bryants nocatch still wont be a catch under the nfl s new rule for making a reception. The only value of the drop kick in the nfl is as an alternative way of kicking the ball through the uprights. The drop kick the drop kick is a quirk of the rule book. Sep 07, 2017 this weird nfl rule lets you score 3 points without kicking a field goal. The number of concussions on kickoffs dropped by 40 percent during the 2011 season, and the return rate fell from 80 to nearly 50 percent.
New england quarterback doug flutie dropkicked an extra point following a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Nfl declares longer extra point experiment a success by making rule permanent new, 4 comments the nfl s tougher extra point rules made kickers drop. By definition, a drop kick is a kick by a player who drops the ball and kicks it as, or immediately after, it touches the ground. A punt is not to be confused with a drop kick, a kick after the ball hits the ground, now rare in both american and canadian football. The four point dropkick around the nfl eagles message. The drop kick is successful when the quarterback drops the ball, lets it bounce off the ground, kicks it, and gets it through the goalposts for an extra point. Qb doug flutie goes out in style, converting the first drop kick in an nfl game since 1941in his last career game. Since a drop kick is a free kick, its a live ball and can be recovered be either team, like a fg or onside kick. The play is legal, according to rule 3, section 18, article 1, item 1 of the nfl s official rule book.
Believe it or not, the dropkick remains a legal maneuver in the national football league today. If a team uses the quick kick a lot, surprise can be maintained only by their also having a fake quick kick play. The xfls first incarnation employed a similar rule in which teams ran a single offensive down from the twoyard line functionally identical to the nfl ncaacfl twopoint conversion, also for one point. A drop kick is a kick by a player who drops the ball and kicks it as, or immediately after, it touches the ground. The patriots once let doug flutie drop kick an extra point for no. It involves a player dropping the ball and then kicking it after it bounces off the ground. Rule sectionarticle 482 eliminates the requirement that a team who scores a touchdown at the end of regulation of a game to kick the extra point or go for twopoint conversion if it would not affect the outcome of the game. In this article, we will discuss how this play works, and the various rules and regulations that are associated with it.
The free kick is considered one of two types of kickoffs even though it uses a drop kick, according to the nfl rules. Dec 06, 2015 the patriots used a 1930sinspired trick play to try to catch the eagles off guard, but it didnt work. Eleven teams have attempted the faircatch kick since the nfl merger. I dont know about the fg, but it seems like that oughta still work. Pats specialteamer nate ebner dropped kicked the ball, in an. The fact that it is a drop kick rather than a normal punt does not change those rules. The result of a typical punt, barring any penalties or extraordinary circumstances, is a first down for the receiving team. Rule 9 scrimmage kick section 1 kick from scrimmage kick behind line of scrimmage article 1 team a may attempt a punt, drop kick, or placekick from behind the line of scrimmage. In many cases, the intent is obvious, based on the game situation i. Drop kicks are most importantly used as a method of restarting play and scoring points in rugby union and rugby league. The destination for all national football leaguerelated video on the web. Nfl declares longer extra point experiment a success by. Before flutie, the last time there had been a successful drop kick in the nfl was dec. For a punt, drop kick, or placekick that is kicked from beyond the line of scrimmage or not from scrimmage.
Football rule question sass wire saloon sass wire forum. In 1941, a successful drop kick was performed during a nfl game by ray mclean of the chicago bears. Doug flutie converts first drop kick since 1941 this day in. So couldnt a punt unit risk the extra time it takes to drop kick the ball in order to attempt a recovery. However, the nfl confirmed this week that the kick was illegal. It defines a dropkick as a kick by a player who drops the ball and kicks it as, or. In a dropkick, the kicker drops the football and must kick it as it strikes the ground or immediately afterwards. Those kickoff rule changes were a major reason for the drop in onside kick recoveries, which was only a. The onside kick is a strategy used by many nfl teams as a lastditch effort to turn a losing game around.
Article 1 during a scrimmage kick that crosses the line of scrimmage, or during a free kick, members of the kicking team are prohibited from interfering with any receiver making an attempt to catch the airborne kick, or from obstructing or hindering his path to the airborne kick, and regardless of whether any signal was given. Runner a1 gets to the line of scrimmage and is stopped but a2, who is behind him, pushes him from behind and shoves him over the goal line. During a placekick on a kickoff, the kicking team may use a manufactured tee that is one inch in height. On january 11th, 2015, this rule came into question regarding a play made by dallas cowboys wr dez bryant in the divisional playoff game against the green bay packers. Official nfl playing rules 63 rule 12, section 1, article 3. Until the 1970s, the rules allowed players to attempt a drop kick field goal in nfl football, a dropkick field goal is.
In an onside kick, however, the kicking team kicks short in hopes of regaining possession of the ball before the receiving team can control it. Rulesectionarticle 482 eliminates the requirement that a team who scores a touchdown at the end of regulation of a game to kick the extra point or go for two point conversion if it would not. A drop kick is a type of kick in various codes of football. If these rule changes are made in a timely manner, i will bump my rating for this book up to four stars. Kick offs are done at the 35,receiving team cannot go past their 45, kick with any power if the ball is kicked on 100 power it. Yes, the drop kick is still legal in the nfl rulebook rule 3, section 18, article 1, item 1 defines the dropkick as a kick by a player who drops the ball and kicks it as, or immediately after, it touches the ground. Sep 02, 2016 the nfls new rule to reduce kickoff returns backfired in the preseason. In the wfl, pats were called action points and could only be scored via a run or pass play as opposed to by kick as in the nfl, and were worth one point.
Oct 01, 2009 one major problem is that the book lacks an index. The best nfl coaches are outsmarting the rule book. Best potential rule book nerd coaching tree theres a lot of crazy rules, powell said in 2015 like on kickoff returns, if they kick it near the sideline, i could step out of bounds. Decades later, doug flutie kicked one in 2006 as a member of the new england patriots. Itd actually be pretty damn awesome if an nfl team had a quarterback capable of consistently nailing drop kicks through the uprights. Is a drop kick still a legal and proper way to score. London, england october, 2019 rule 10 of the national football league s official rule book is titled. This rule was a revival of a 1968 preseason experiment by the nfl and american football league. These changes and rules were agreed to during the annual spring. The last dropkick pro football hall of fame official site. Evolution of the nfl rules the custodians of football not only have protected its integrity, but have also revised its playing rules to protect the players, and to make the games fairer. Tucker, however, allowed the ball to hit ground and bounce upwards. It sounds like its legal to kick off like that, but 1. The people currently on the nfl competition committee are falcons president rich mckay.
If a kicker drops the football to the ground and kicks it immediately after it lands, he has completed a drop kick. Can they clarify whether it was illegal to drop kick a kickoff in any way, or whether it was that the ravens conducted the play illegally. Nfl drop kicks are worth 3 points unless it is during an extra point attempt, then it is worth 1 point. Nov 16, 2008 theres one little know rule that if a team faircatches the drop kick after a safety, then they have the option of putting the ball on a kickoff tee at that spot and freekicking for a field goal with no defense. It involves a player dropping the ball and then kicking it after it bounces off the ground drop kicks are most importantly used as a method of restarting play and scoring points in rugby union and rugby league. One type of such play is the equivalent of the statue of liberty play for the forward pass. Exnfl referee on botched seattle seahawksdetroit lions. Game and player highlights, news stories, team and playerrelated features, fantasy football videos, nfl event coverage. Between 1974 and 2011, the nfl moved the kickoff line three times. The kicking team is under no obligation to announce that they are going to attempt an onside kick. How to bring back the drop kick around the nfl eagles.
To date, the only successful drop kick in the nfl since the 1940s was by doug flutie, the. The onside kick is a lowpercentage play, generally only seen late in a game when the kicking team is trailing in the score and must retain possession of the ball in order to score before time expires. Flutie converts first drop kick since 1941 championship. Theres a rule that allows a team to get an undefended fieldgoal attempt from the spot it made a fair catch. The word flagrant, when used here to describe an action by a player, is. Sep 25, 2017 the meme claims that page 6263 of the nfl rule book dictates that during the national anthem, players must stand, face the flag, hold their helmet in their left hand and refrain from talking. The rules still allow a player to score on a drop kick. After a fair catch is made, or is awarded as the result of fair catch interference, the receiving. This weird nfl rule lets you score 3 points without kicking a. The drop kick is successful when the quarterback drops the ball, lets it bounce off the. Most teams snap the ball at the spot of the fair catch to start a drive, but in rare instances, a coach can elect to use the faircatch kick. This edition of the official playing rules of the national football league contains allcurrent rules governing the playing of professional football that are in effect for the 20 nfl season. Nfl football operations protects the integrity of the game by ensuring that the rules and the officiating are consistent and fair to all competitors. Nfl says ravens drop kick was illegal, john harbaugh says refs.
Yes, the drop kick is still legal in the nfl rulebook rule 3, section 18, article 1, item. The nfls rules have continued to evolve since footballs earliest days always changing to protect the leagues integrity and make the game fairer, safer and more entertaining. Each adjustment was carefully considered and made solely in response to circumstances and trends at the time. What are the rules for the onside kick in professional. This edition of the official playing rules of the national football league contains all current rules governing the playing of professional football that are in effect for the 2017 nfl season. I cant recall another example of a drop kick in an nfl game. According to the nfl hall of fame web site, ray mclean of the chicago bears was the last player to successfully convert a drop kick in the nfl in 1941. The complete nfl rulebook can be found in the nfl operations rules section at. The destination for all national football league related video on the web.
Doug flutie added another oddity to his football resume on sunday when. This is extremely rare, in fact i dont think any team has ever done it. What the nfl rule book says about the national anthem. San francisco 49ers kicker phil dawson attempts a 71yard faircatch kick as coach jim harbaugh chooses to take advantage of a littleused play from the nfl rule book. This weird nfl rule lets you score 3 points without. The nfl rule book has its fair shair of strange rules. I assume that for a more experienced reader with a serious interest in the game, this book would be a wonderful resource.
You will see more kick returns in the preseason than you will during the regular season. A running back would typically run a sweep and then attempt to boot a 3point field go. How nfl coaches are outsmarting the rule book more often than ever. May 22, 2018 here is a summary, in video, of the changes being made to kickoffs in the national football league, per their operations staff. The nfls new rule to reduce kickoff returns backfired in the. It was used frequently in the 1920s and 30s as an attacking method to catch defenders off guard.
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