Background of Post Scrimmage Background of Post Scrimmage Kick Rule (PSK)Kick Rule (PSK)

Was on rules committee agenda 10 times Was on rules committee agenda 10 times between 1991 and adoption in 2003between 1991 and adoption in 2003

Original proposals were copies of NCAA rule, Original proposals were copies of NCAA rule, creating multiple exceptions in NFHS codecreating multiple exceptions in NFHS code

Team A/K has chosen to end its possession Team A/K has chosen to end its possession by kicking, and then kicks the ballby kicking, and then kicks the ball

Proposal as passed DID NOT modify other Proposal as passed DID NOT modify other rules such as inadvertent whistle and rules such as inadvertent whistle and definition of kicksdefinition of kicks

Background of Post Scrimmage Background of Post Scrimmage Kick Rule (PSK)Kick Rule (PSK)

Necessarily different than collegiate rule in Necessarily different than collegiate rule in order to minimize and eliminate exceptions to order to minimize and eliminate exceptions to NFHS penalty codeNFHS penalty code

May continue to require further refinement in May continue to require further refinement in future, but for now, leaves unchanged most future, but for now, leaves unchanged most other related provisionsother related provisions

Statistics show that high school punters are Statistics show that high school punters are happy with more than 3 seconds hang time. happy with more than 3 seconds hang time. PSK fouls don’t happen that often! And is PSK fouls don’t happen that often! And is even less likely in non varsity games.even less likely in non varsity games.

PSK Basic Rule ProvisionsPSK Basic Rule Provisions

Defines a PSK Spot (additional Basic Spot Defines a PSK Spot (additional Basic Spot defined in rule 10-4-3 and definition included defined in rule 10-4-3 and definition included in 2-40-6)in 2-40-6)

PSK spot is where kick ends by rule when all PSK spot is where kick ends by rule when all conditions for PSK are met (2-40-6).conditions for PSK are met (2-40-6).

Altered in a minor way, other related Altered in a minor way, other related definitions related to spots (inserting “other definitions related to spots (inserting “other than” language, etc.)than” language, etc.)

PSK Basic Rule ProvisionsPSK Basic Rule Provisions Must use the “window” to properly apply the rule.Must use the “window” to properly apply the rule.

The “window” is opened (maintained) when The “window” is opened (maintained) when the ball is snapped if a kick is then made, the ball is snapped if a kick is then made, ANDAND

K kicks the ball and the kick crosses the K kicks the ball and the kick crosses the expanded neutral zone, ANDexpanded neutral zone, AND

R has yet to possess the ball and the kick has R has yet to possess the ball and the kick has not ended by rulenot ended by rule

PSK Basic RulePSK Basic Rule A PSK foul occurs when R fouls with the A PSK foul occurs when R fouls with the

“window” open AND R fouls on R’s side of the “window” open AND R fouls on R’s side of the expanded neutral zone, AND if R has the ball at expanded neutral zone, AND if R has the ball at the end of the down (or will next put the ball in the end of the down (or will next put the ball in play)play)

PSK Never Applies on Try (by rule) PSK Never Applies on Try (by rule) PSK Never Applies on a K foulPSK Never Applies on a K foul PSK Never Applies on Made FG (R does not PSK Never Applies on Made FG (R does not

have ball)have ball) PSK MAY apply on missed FG (must be aware PSK MAY apply on missed FG (must be aware

of NFHS rule on missed FG compared to of NFHS rule on missed FG compared to collegiate rule as ball could roll dead in field of collegiate rule as ball could roll dead in field of play)play)

PSK Rules Study TipsPSK Rules Study Tips

PSK MAY apply on a scrimmage kick (punt)PSK MAY apply on a scrimmage kick (punt) PSK MAY apply in Overtime (determined by PSK MAY apply in Overtime (determined by

state overtime procedure), but does not apply if state overtime procedure), but does not apply if using NFHS 10 yard procedureusing NFHS 10 yard procedure

When a PSK foul occurs, the basic spot is the When a PSK foul occurs, the basic spot is the end of the kick (correctly marked by bean bag)end of the kick (correctly marked by bean bag)

Penalties behind basic spot are enforced using Penalties behind basic spot are enforced using all-but-one principle.all-but-one principle.

All other revisions and provisions are consistent All other revisions and provisions are consistent with all-but-one as in place at this time.with all-but-one as in place at this time.

PSK Rules Study Tips for the PlayPSK Rules Study Tips for the Play Did the window open (kick was made and Did the window open (kick was made and

crossed the ENZ)crossed the ENZ) Did the window close (kick end by rule)Did the window close (kick end by rule) Did R End up with the ball after the defined end Did R End up with the ball after the defined end

of a kick? (or will R put ball in play next?)of a kick? (or will R put ball in play next?) Did R Foul?Did R Foul? Did R’s foul occur with window open, past ENZ, Did R’s foul occur with window open, past ENZ,

and before window closed?and before window closed? If all answers are YES, PSK enforcement If all answers are YES, PSK enforcement

applies.applies.

PSK Officiating Mechanics TipsPSK Officiating Mechanics Tips BJ (LJ on 4 person Crew) should carry two bean bags. BJ (LJ on 4 person Crew) should carry two bean bags.

One for PSK spot, one in case of fumble.One for PSK spot, one in case of fumble. Rule 2 Definitions will help sort out most any PSK foul that Rule 2 Definitions will help sort out most any PSK foul that

happens to occur. Case books plays on happens to occur. Case books plays on substitution/participation fouls MUST be reviewed as spot substitution/participation fouls MUST be reviewed as spot of foul is critical.of foul is critical.

Movement of LJ may need to be addressed. It may not be Movement of LJ may need to be addressed. It may not be as easy for the LJ to break on the snap as a few states still as easy for the LJ to break on the snap as a few states still do in 5 person, but rather, he/she may have to wait to do in 5 person, but rather, he/she may have to wait to release until kick is imminent. Primary coverage as to the release until kick is imminent. Primary coverage as to the ball having crossed the ENZ has to be L.ball having crossed the ENZ has to be L.

Covering official must bean bag PSK spot (not always BJ Covering official must bean bag PSK spot (not always BJ or LJ).or LJ).

PSK Play SituationsPSK Play Situations Ball crosses ENZ and returns behindBall crosses ENZ and returns behind

Still meets rule as it did crossStill meets rule as it did cross Inadvertent whistle during Kick Inadvertent whistle during Kick

No option but previous spot by rule (not PSK as R No option but previous spot by rule (not PSK as R doesn’t have ball)doesn’t have ball)

Foul after inadvertent, no foul enforcement unless Foul after inadvertent, no foul enforcement unless Unsporting or Live Ball Enforced as DeadUnsporting or Live Ball Enforced as Dead

Foul before inadvertent, enforce yardage from Foul before inadvertent, enforce yardage from previous spot.previous spot.

K Foul, then kick, PSK foul, then R fields ball and K Foul, then kick, PSK foul, then R fields ball and advances. During run, R fouls again.advances. During run, R fouls again. R may keep ball as they received ball with clean R may keep ball as they received ball with clean

hands. They must decline K’s foul. The most hands. They must decline K’s foul. The most disadvantageous R foul will be enforced.disadvantageous R foul will be enforced.