Roughing the Kicker (Punting situation)

Question
We had this situation come up and I can't find the exact ruling in the NCAA rulebook.

4th down and 19 yards to go for a first down. QB takes the snap under center. QB pitches the ball to RB. RB runs parallel to the line of scrimmage for 3 steps. While running RB punts the ball at the same time a defensive lineman hits him from behind/side and tackles RB. DL never touches the ball and punt is away.

Ref called roughing the kicker penalty.

I can't find the specific NCAA rule that states when a punter becomes a runner and loses his punter status.

Does it matter that this is the 3rd time they punt in this fashion?

Answer
FOLLOW UP:

Mark

      I reviewed my notes from a 2005 Rules meeting presented by lecturers from the Pac-10, Mountain West, & WAC (information from John Adams passed along by the WAC official).  When analyzing your play situation first you must  know When it becomes obvious that a player/Runner intends to kick, when this occurs the defensive players must avoid him.  Secondly, it must be "reasonably obvious that a kick will be made" for there to be protection granted to a kicker [if the team kicks on the run always and never from a scrimmage kick formation, this "may be" a factor in determining whether the defense could have reasoned the kick would be obvious].
   In Rugby style kicking plays [kicking on the run] the Kicker becomes a kicker when it is Obvious he is going to kick and get protection only while in the act of kicking.  Otherwise he is still a runner. The defense is given latitude to approach the runner while he is a runner to tackle him - otherwise the defense would be placed at a disadvantage.  When the runner changes his gait or body positioning to begin the kick is only when he gets the protection of a kicker. HE MUST BE IN THE ACT OF KICKING, AND THE WINDOW FOR THIS PLAYER SAFETY PROTECTION IS SMALLER THAN IF HE WERE A KICKER IN A SCRIMMAGE KICK FORMATION AND IN AN OBVIOUS POSITION TO KICK THE BALL [punts and drop kicks].  The official must guard against a player safety type foul for roughing, but understand the defense must protect against a run threat so good judgement is needed to officiate this Rugby style kick play.  There should not be a foul for running into the kicker on this type of play, if so talk about it before enforcing it - it should either be wiped off as no foul or elevated to a roughing the kicker foul.

Mark these are my notes on roughing the kicker on Rugby style punts, following the issue being addressed by the NCAA and officiating.  Below are some examples approved by the Rules committee.  These have stood the scrutiny from the NCAA Bulletins:

1)   A1, from a nonscrimmage kick formation, makes a quick, unexpected kick so suddenly that B1 cannot avoid contact.
***RULING: This is not roughing or running into the kicker since the rule applies only when it is reasonably obvious that a kick will be made.


2)   B1 runs into player A1, who has kicked the ball and has had a
reasonable time to regain his balance.
***RULING: Not a foul by B1 unless ruled as running into or throwing himself against an opponent obviously out of the play (Rule 9-1-2-j).

3)   After B1 runs into the kicker, kicker A25 simulates being roughed.
***RULING: Offsetting fouls.

4)   Kicker A1, in a scrimmage kick formation, moves laterally two or
three steps to recover a faulty snap, or recovers a snap that went
over his head and then kicks the ball. He is contacted by B2 in
an unsuccessful attempt to block the kick.
***RULING: A1 does not automatically lose his protection in either case. A1 is entitled to protection as in any other kicking situation. When it becomes obvious that A1 intends to kick (in a normal punting position), defensive players must avoid him.

I hope this helps.  Clearly it is a play that requires the Referee to use judgement and restraint.  If I can be of further assistance please feel free to  write.

Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official


Mark
Thanks for your question.  This plan requires judgement of the official.  Because the Kicker is running the ball he is given a little less latitude of protection - the window of protection is less than if he were in a scrimmage kick formation and it was obvious he was going to kick the ball.  He still gets protection when he is in the act of kicking.  The fact that this is the 3rd time they have kicked that way doesn't change the protection element of the rule.

In your play the player is  a RUNNER and becomes a Kicker, not the other way around.  Therefore he only gets protection while a kicker.

Here is my preliminary reply.  I will follow up later with additional information.  There were one or two NCAA bulletins on point issued a couple years ago.  I want to locate them and give you the exact language that was used by John Adams (the former NCAA Rules Sec.).  It will take me a few hours to research.  I first draw your attention to A.R. 9-1-4-IV; .

The rule that governs is 9-1-4;  A.R. 5-2-2-I and A.R. 9-1-4-I, III and VI.  These examples may help explain the rule better.

Roughing or Running Into Kicker or Holder:
RULE 9- SECTION 1- ARTICLE 4 Provides that  When it is obvious that a scrimmage kick will be made, no opponent shall run into or rough the kicker or the holder of a place kick (See A.R. 5-2-2-I and A.R. 9-1-4-I, III and VI).  The key element to the rule is "OBVIOUS THAT A SCRIMMAGE KICK WILL BE MADE".

Roughing is a personal foul that endangers the kicker or holder.
Running into the kicker or holder is a foul that occurs when the
kicker or holder is displaced from his kicking or holding position but is not roughed.  You question does not involve running into.

Incidental contact with a kicker or holder is not a foul.

The kicker and holder must be protected from injury, but contact
that occurs when or after a scrimmage kick has been touched is not
roughing or running into the kicker or holder.

The kicker of a scrimmage kick loses protection as a kicker when he
has had a reasonable time to regain his balance (A.R. 9-1-4-IV).

A defensive player legally blocked into the kicker or holder by a
member of the kicking team is not exempt from fouls for running into
or roughing the kicker or holder. A defensive player illegally blockedinto the kicker or holder by a member of the kicking team is exempt from fouls for running into or roughing the kicker or holder.

When a player, other than one who blocks a scrimmage kick, runs
into or roughs the kicker or holder, it is a foul.

When in question whether the foul is 搑unning into拻 or 搑oughing,拻 the foul is 搑oughing.拻

PENALTY桭ive yards from the previous spot for running into the
kicker or holder. Fifteen yards from the previous spot and a first down for roughing the kicker or holder if the first down is not in conflict with other rules.  Flagrant offenders shall be disqualified.  A kicker or holder simulating being roughed or run into by a defensive player commits an unsportsmanlike act.