KICK START

Reviewing Rules and Mechanics on Punts

By Judson Howard

First quarter, fourth down at midfield, the line to gain is 12 yards away. What is most likely to happen next? I hope you said a punt. Further proof is several offensive team substitutes (including a punter) lining up in punt formation. Now, the side of your football brain that has the kicking rules imbedded should be activated. If something funky happens in a game, it will probably be during a punt down. Therefore, you must anticipate all segments of such plays. Concepts in this article may vary by crew size and from your local mechanics. Be sure to cover all facets of punt plays in your pregame meetings.

Before the snap, all team player counts should be double checked and confirmed with your counting partner(s). That is due to multiple substitutions on both sides of the ball. There are the normal things to watch for before and at the snap, such as all the line of scrimmage infractions like illegal formations, false starts and encroachment. Numbering exceptions are allowed for offensive linemen for scrimmage kicks (NFHS 7-2-5b Exc. 2; NCAA 7-1-4a-5).

The wings must know if their first move is to go downfield or stay at the line. Also, who goes into the backfield should the snap go over the punter’s head? That usually depends on which side of the punter the referee is standing.

The referee rules on roughing and running into the kicker. The umpire ensures the snapper is not roughed. After the kick is cleanly away and crosses the line, focus is on specific action based on your position. The referee and umpire are looking at players moving downfield.

Should a blocked punt remain behind the line, or a punt not reach the line, either team can recover and advance the ball.

Play: Third and 20 at team A’s six yardline. Their quick kick is blocked.

If the defender contacts the punter, referee Gavin Anderson, Bonney Lake, Wash., will have to decide which penalty applies. Accepted philosophy is contact on the kicker’s plant leg is roughing and contact on the kicking leg that displaces the kicker is running into.

A1 falls on the ball at team A’s four yardline. Ruling: Team A’s series continues. It is fourth and 22 at team A’s four yardline.

In a game with six or more officials, the field judge and side judge monitor the widest team K players (called gunners or flyers) moving downfield, looking for them being fouled or forced out of bounds. You must know if a kicking team player went out of bounds. The college mechanic involves throwing your hat when a player goes out of bounds during a punt play. Then you must rule if they were forced out or not.

Deep officials are responsible for a fair catch signal given and a subsequent catch, muff or fumble. Kick-catching interference is the back judge’s call. With beanbag in hand before the snap, the back judge will drop the bag at the spot of first (NFHS) or illegal (NCAA) touching. Also, toss the beanbag to where the kick ends. That marks the postscrimmage kick (PSK) spot. Deep officials rule on kicks into the end zone.

During the punt return, you are looking for illegal team R blocks — below the waist, in the back and blindside. You must judge when and where such fouls occur as those aspects determine penalty enforcement. When reporting a foul to the referee, the calling official should state if the foul occurred during the kick or during the return. Who marks the end of the return or where the ball is declared dead depends on crew size. With six or more, the field judge or side judge gets that spot. Then one of the line of scrimmage officials obtains a new ball to start the new series. With five or less, either wing official marks the end of the run. The umpire or back judge then obtains a new ball.

When a punt goes out of bounds in flight, the sideline official looks to the referee to line up the location where the ball should be spotted. If the punt rolls across a sideline instead of crossing in flight, a sideline official determines the dead-ball spot.

Everyone signals timeout when a punt play ends, then all officials look at the clock to ensure it stopped. Those not involved with the new spot should watch for fouls during the dead ball. Check for flags on the field before instructing the chain crew to move to the new location to start team R’s series.

Expect all punt play possibilities. That means knowing what will or could happen before the snap, at the snap, when the punt is in flight, during the punt return and once the ball is dead.

Judson Howard, Los Angeles, is a replay official in the Pac-12 Conference. He officiated more than 20 years, many at the NCAA Division I level. *

Quicktip

Instead of just standing idly before the game, walk the field and look around. Are there potholes in the turf that should be filled? Are the pylons placed correctly? Are the goalpost pads attached securely? Also, check the players. Address knotted jerseys, non-transparent face shields and other equipmentor uniform-related issues before the game.

SURVEY SAYS …

Which type of whistle do you prefer?

Whistle on a lanyard: 63.8%

Finger whistle: 36.2%

SOURCE: SURVEY OF 94 REFEREE READERS

By The Numbers

The NFL has implemented replay assist, in which the control center in New York contacts onfield officials to correct a call, thus eliminating the need for a replay stoppage. Statistics for the 2022 regular season. Stoppages potentially prevented Booth reviews potentially saved Challenge reviews potentially saved

254

127 127

SOURCE: NFL

They Said It

“I was hoping he would let it go, but of course he’s a ref, it was a big game. It was a hold, so they called it.”

— Philadelphia cornerback James Bradberry, whose holding penalty led to the gamewinning field goal in Super Bowl LVII

SOURCE: ESPN