Article 1 – Points of Kick Off
On all kick offs, 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 (2.54 cm) above the ground.
The ball shall be kicked off by a place kick from any point on or between the hash marks on Team A's:
- a) 45 yard (40 metre) line at the start of the first and third periods, or after any touchdown.
- b) 45 yard (40 metre) line after a field goal scored by Team A, the team scored against may elect to kick off or scrimmage from its own 35 yard (30 metre) line.
- c) Line 10 yards (10 metres) back from the centre line of the field where the distance between goal lines is less than regulation.
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.
Article 2 – Neutral Zone
The neutral zone on a kick off is the area from the line of kick off to the line 10 yards (10 metres) in advance of the line of kick off, from sideline to sideline.
Article 3 – Legal Kick Off
- a) The ball must be kicked at least 10 yards (10 metres) toward the opponent's goal, unless it is touched first by an opponent.
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- For touching the ball illegally B option L5 kick off repeated or option
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- For recovering the ball illegally, or for touching it illegally and recovering it, or for touching it illegally and/or touching it last before it goes out of bounds
- B option: L5 kick off repeated or option
- B possession as 1D at the point of illegal touching, the point of recovery by Team A, or at the out-of-bounds point.
- Decline and take result of play
- b) The ball shall not go out of bounds at the sideline unless touched by a player. A player who catches the ball must come down in bounds to gain possession. If a player was the last to touch the ball, either that player or the ball must come down in bounds for possession to be awarded.
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. The ball is immediately dead and Team B shall scrimmage at any point on or between the hash marks on its own 20 yard (20 metre) 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 and Team B shall scrimmage at any point on or between the harsh marks on its own 20 yard (20 metres) line, no options.
- 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.
Article 4 – Offside on Kick Off
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 kickoff or the kicker who is always considered to be onside.
L5, kick off repeated or L5 PBD
b) Until the ball is kicked, players of Team B must remain on their own side of the neutral zone.
L5 to Team B, kick off repeated.
Article 5 – Interference
- 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.
- Ball in possession of either Team
- Holding, Illegal block- L10 PBH or option.
- UR - L15 PBH or PBD.
- RP - L25 PBH or PBD.
- Ball in flight.
- Holding, Illegal block. - L10 point where possession is gained or option.
- UR - L15 point where possession is gained or PBD.
- RP - L 25 point where possession 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 (10m) line or option.
- c) On a kick off, Team A players may use their hands and arms to ward 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.
Ball in flight:
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- Foul against an opponent who is playing or attempting to recover the ball Possession to Team B at PF.
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- Foul against any other opponent L10 PP. Ball in possession - L10 PBH.
- d) On any kick play, it shall be illegal for 3 or more players to align shoulder to shoulder within 2 yards of each other and move forward in an attempt to block for a ball carrier. (Wedge Block) Penalty L10 PBH or PP