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]

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[edit]

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[edit]

^ Nelson, David (1994). The anatomy of a game: football, the rules, and the men who made the game. 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. p. 515. ISBN 9780874134551.
^ ^a ^b Nelson, David (1994). The anatomy of a game: football, the rules, and the men who made the game. p. 476. ISBN 9780874134551.

[nelson520-1] Nelson, David (1994). The anatomy of a game: football, the rules, and the men who made the game. 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. p. 515. ISBN 9780874134551.

[nelson476-4] Nelson, David (1994). The anatomy of a game: football, the rules, and the men who made the game. 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