Kicks - Free Kicks

On free kicks, until the ball is legally possessed, the reviewable situations are the touching of the kick, the ball hitting a boundary line (including the pylon), and recovery at the sideline or in the end zone. Once the kick is possessed it becomes a running play and the guidelines for runs apply. Also reviewable are blocks by the kicking team before they are eligible to touch the ball.

  • It is the receiving team's ball at the spot a kicked ball goes out-of- bounds if touched by receiving team member prior to going out of bounds. 

  • Blocking by kicking team players before being eligible to touch the ball on an onside kick is reviewable (Rule 12-3-4). Note:

    • The block by the kicking team must be obvious. The receiving team player being blocked must be passive. 

    • Replay can instruct the referee to pick up a flag for an illegal block if the block occurred after the ball (1) Passed the restraining line; or (2) Was touched by a receiving team player. 

    • There is no competitive effect if the receiving team possesses the ball at the end of the kick.

  • Any player must complete the same components as completing a catch to recover a free kick.

  • Replay should be alert for any Team B signal (valid or invalid) including a "T" signal.