FOOTBALL
EDITOR: JEFFREY STERN
jstern@referee.com
RULES, MECHANICS, PHILOSOPHY
HOLD(ER) EVERYTHING Rules Regarding the Player Who Holds for Kicks
By Judson Howard
W
Unless that defensive player gets a piece of the kicked ball, it appears the holder is going to be contacted. Because a diving player isn’t under control, a foul in this case would likely be roughing the holder as opposed to running into. When in doubt, go with the more severe foul.
DALE GARVEY
hen thinking of players associated with the kicking game, the usual focus is on those who kick the ball and team R players attempting to catch and return them. However, another participant involved with scrimmage kicks is the holder. The rulebooks define the holder as the player who controls the ball on the ground or on a kicking tee (NFHS 2-32-7; NCAA 2-27-3b). While NFHS does not note when a player stops being a holder, NCAA notes that during a scrimmage kick, a player remains a holder until no player is in position to make the kick or, if the ball is kicked, until the kicker has had a reasonable time to regain his balance. A holder is normally about seven yards deep in team K’s backfield for a kick try or a field goal attempt. He receives the snap and places the ball for the kicker so the kicker can boot the ball over the crossbar and between the uprights. In NFHS, after controlling the snap, the holder can put the ball on a kicking tee or on the ground before a placekick is made (2-24-4). In NCAA, the ball must touch the ground; a tee is not allowed (6-3-10d). After receiving the snap, the holder places a finger or hand on top of the ball, then may rotate and/or tilt the ball to the kicker’s preferred position. A team K member might also control the ball on the field surface or a tee before a kickoff is made. He is not encroaching (NFHS) or offside
12 | REFEREE August 2021
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6/17/2021 1:11:39 PM
