onside kick

Question
My son is playing high school football. On an on side kick, if the kick is obviously not going to go 10 yards, should the kicking team fall on it or let it go protecting it from the receiving team? It is my understanding that the receiving team can recover within the 10 yard area. Is that the case?

Answer
Scott
Thank you for the question (I answered this two days ago on my Blackberry but it seems not to have posted).  First, you are correct - your understanding that the receiving team [Team R] may recover the free kicked ball within the 10 yard area or within 10 yards of the Kicking Team's [Team K] restraining line.  Only K is restricted from touching the ball until it goes ten yards.

The other part to your question is difficult to answer as that is a preference of a coach and I would recommend your son as his coach how he wants recover of onside kicks.

With that said, your question is very valid and the answer to "if the kick is obviously not going to go 10 yards, should the kicking team fall on it or let it go protecting it from the receiving team" depends on the game situation, personnel and player abilities.  However, K if they touch it then by rule they have committed First Touching and R may elect to have the ball at the First Touching spot.  If K is first to possess the on side kick the ball becomes dead once possessed and it belongs to team R if the ball had not gone 10 yards.  Some coaches rather have their K players jump on the ball and kill the play.  The risk is if they K player doesn't possess it and muffs it then Team R could have a potential windfall play where they are able to recover and advance.  Other coaches rather let the ball be recovered by R.  In my opinion and experience I have instructed falling on the ball and securing it in bounds.