Question: The play at issue was a field goal attempt. The snap was caught cleanly by the holder, who was on a knee. The holder flipped the ball blindly over his shoulder to the kicker, who scampered around right end for a touchdown. Is there an exemption in college and high school rules to the knee-down-play-is-deal rule that would allow a holder not to be ruled down? I would imagine that there would have to be an exception to the knee-down-play-is-deal rule -- otherwise every time an extra-point or field goal is attempted the play would be dead just prior to the kick. Steve, can you provide clarity to this situation?
(Note: The play described above took place in a college game).M.S.G., Concord
Answer: This question is one that is frequently asked by football fans. Under Federation rules, the ball becomes dead when any part of the ball carrier's body touches the ground, other than a hand or foot. There is, however, one exception to this rule. During a field goal attempt or an extra point attempt, the holder is allowed to have one or both knees on the ground when he catches or recovers the snap. He is also allowed to rise to catch or recover an errant snap and immediately return his knee(s) to the ground to hold the ball for the kicker. However, if the holder pitches the ball or hands the ball off to another player, he must rise off of his knees to do so or the ball immediately becomes dead. I saw the above play this past weekend on TV, and my immediate conclusion was that NCAA rules must differ from Federation rules with respect to the holder's ability to pass the ball from his knees. I checked with a colleague who officiates NCAA games and he confirmed that unlike Federation rules, NCAA rules do not require the holder to rise prior to handing or passing the ball.
