Illegal Kicking

It is fourth and 10 for A from its own 15-yard line.  A1 fakes a kick and runs beyond the neutral zone and kicks the ball at the 20.  The kicked ball: (a) is caught by A2 at A's 30 and he is downed there; or (b) goes out of bounds at midfield; or (c) comes to rest on K's 45 and no player of either team will touch it, so the covering official will sound his whistle.



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Ruling: The kick is illegal and the resulting loose ball is treated as a fumble.  The normal kicking rules and restrictions are not in effect during an illegal kick.  In (a), (b) and (c), if the penalty for the illegal kick is is declined, it will be A's ball first and 10 from the yard line where the ball became dead. If the penalty is accepted, it is enforced from the end of the run which is the spot of the illegal kick.(9.7.1b)casebook