Roughing the kicker

In gridiron football, 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."^[1]

National Football League

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.^[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 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".^[3]

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."^[4]

In 1917, penalties for roughing the kicker were measured from the spot where the ball was put out of play.^[4]

References

^ Nelson, David (1994). The anatomy of a game: football, the rules, and the men who made the game. University of Delaware Press. p. 520. ISBN 9780874134551.
^ NFL Rule book, Article 9, Rule 12, Section 2
^ Nelson, David (1994). The anatomy of a game: football, the rules, and the men who made the game. University of Delaware Press. p. 515. ISBN 9780874134551.
^ ^a ^b Nelson, David (1994). The anatomy of a game: football, the rules, and the men who made the game. University of Delaware Press. p. 476. ISBN 9780874134551.

[nelson520-1] Nelson, David (1994). The anatomy of a game: football, the rules, and the men who made the game. University of Delaware Press. p. 520. ISBN 9780874134551.

[2] NFL Rule book, Article 9, Rule 12, Section 2

[nelson515-3] Nelson, David (1994). The anatomy of a game: football, the rules, and the men who made the game. University of Delaware Press. p. 515. ISBN 9780874134551.

[nelson476-4] Nelson, David (1994). The anatomy of a game: football, the rules, and the men who made the game. University of Delaware Press. p. 476. ISBN 9780874134551.

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v t e Gridiron football penalties
Penalty flag Equipment violations Unfair act
5-yard penalties	Delay of game Time count Encroachment False start Illegal contact Illegal formation Illegal forward pass Illegal touching of a free kick Illegal motion Illegal participation Illegal shift Illegal substitution Illegal touching Ineligible receiver downfield Neutral zone infraction Offside Sideline infraction
10-yard penalties	Block in the back Helping the runner Holding Illegal use of hands Intentional grounding
15-yard penalties	Blocking below the waist Chop block Clipping Face mask Helmet-to-helmet collision Horse-collar tackle Illegal hands to the face Illegal forward kick Pass interference Leaping Personal foul Roughing the kicker Roughing the passer Roughing the snapper Spearing Tripping Unsportsmanlike conduct