In
, roughing the kicker is an action in which a defender, having missed an attempt to block a kick, tackles the kicker or otherwise runs into the kicker in a way that might injure the kicker. This protection is also extended to the holder of a place kick. It is a separate penalty from "
running into the kicker
In gridiron football, a penalty is a sanction assessed against a team for a violation of the rules, called a foul. Officials initially signal penalties by tossing a bright yellow colored penalty flag onto the field toward or at the spot of a fou ...
."
In the NFL, a defensive player commits a "roughing the kicker" foul if he (a) contacts the plant leg of the kicker while his kicking leg is still in the air; or (b) slides into or contacts the kicker when both of the kicker’s feet are on the ground. It is not a foul if the contact is not severe, or if the kicker returns both feet to the ground prior to the contact and falls over a defender who is on the ground.
[ NFL Rule book, Article 9, Rule 12, Section 2 ]
The penalty for such a violation in most leagues is 15 yards and an automatic first down. When such a violation occurs, the team about to surrender possession via a
punt will retain its possession as a result. If the violation occurs when a successful
field goal
A field goal (FG) is a means of scoring in gridiron football. To score a field goal, the team in possession of the ball must place kick, or drop kick, the ball through the goal, i.e., between the uprights and over the crossbar. The entire ba ...
is kicked, the yardage is assessed on the ensuing kickoff, unless the offended team elects to accept the penalty and continue its drive in hopes of scoring a touchdown, which is referred to "taking the points off the board".
Such protections are also extended to the
holder during field goal kicks; the penalty for roughing the holder is identical.
History
In 1914, the term "roughing the kicker" came into use. Previously, it was known as "running into the fullback after the kick."
In 1917, penalties for roughing the kicker were measured from the spot where the ball was put out of play.
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References
{{Gridiron football penalties
Gridiron football penalties