Roughing or Running Into Kicker or Holder
ARTICLE 16. a. When it is obvious that a scrimmage kick will be made, no
opponent shall run into or rough the kicker or the holder of a place kick (A.R.
9-1-16-I, III and VI).
1. Roughing is a live-ball personal foul that endangers the kicker or holder.
2. Running into the kicker or holder is a live-ball foul that occurs when the
kicker or holder is displaced from his kicking or holding position but is
not roughed (A.R. 9-1-16-II). Note: Running into the kicker carries a
five-yard penalty.
3. Incidental contact with a kicker or holder is not a foul.
4. The kicker’s protection under this rule ends (a)when he has had a
reasonable time to regain his balance(A.R. 9-1-16-IV); or (b)when he
carries the ball outside the tackle box (Rule 2-34) before kicking.
5. When a defensive player’s contact against the kicker or holder is caused
by an opponent’s block (legal or illegal), there is no foul for running into
or roughing.
6. A player who makes contact with the kicker or holder after touching the
kick is not charged with running into or roughing the kicker.
7. When a player other than one who blocks a scrimmage kick runs into or
roughs the kicker or holder, it is a foul.
8. When in question whether the foul is running into or roughing, the foul
is roughing.
b. A kicker or holder simulating being roughed or run into by a defensive
player commits an unsportsmanlike act (A.R. 9-1-16-V).