Free Kick - Out of Bounds (Packers Game)
Posted: 9/27/2016
Q: I wanted to check this situation with you on how it is t be ruled in a high school game. Ty Montgomery of the Packers, went out of bounds and touched the kick off during the Packers game yesterday vs. the Detroit Lions.
We had a similar situation in a JV game a few years ago. Then we just ruled the player was out of bounds and spotted the ball there. The ball is out of bounds when it touches a player who is out of bounds. 2-29-3. So, is the Kick out of bounds and a penalty on the kicking team, like they did in the Packers game?
Or shall we impose only the Illegal Participation penalty, 9-6-2b . Since the player intentionally went out of bounds and then intentionally touched the ball? Or do we have a double foul and replay the down?
A: In 2011, the NFHS football rules committee revised the Illegal Participation rule to make the Ty Montgomery (Randall Cobb in 2011) act Illegal Participation as per rule 9-6-2b.
On, pp 86-87 of the case book. 9.6.2 Situation C.
K1 free-kicks the ball toward sideline. While R1 is still out of bounds, he intentionally touches the ball as it nears the sideline. The ball is declared dead by the covering official. Ruling: Illegal participation by R1 (4-3-1; 6-1-9)
Another example of this act is depicted and ruled on in Casebook play 9.6.2 SITUATION A (p. 86). Eligible receiver A1 runs beyond Team B's end line. Quarterback A2 throws a legal forward pass in A1's direction. A1 leaps and, while airborne, bats the ball to eligible teammate A3, who is in Team B's end zone. Ruling: Illegal participation on A1. Because A1 went out of bounds intentionally and influenced the play, he has gained an advantage and illegal participation.
