Kickoff rule question

[Tanks3232]

I’m curious about the high school rules on kickoffs. About 3 times in the Unioto vs VC game the returner for VC either dropped the ball or touched it before the ball went in the endzone and they immediately blew it dead as a touchback. I always thought if you touched the ball in play then it’s a live ball, is that rule different for high school?

[CharlieHustle]

Yes. HS kicking rules are very different from college or NFL, even if the ball is untouched, muffed, etc. -- once it reaches the end zone it is a touch back.

[CharlieHustle]

Also a side note to kicking rules (unrelated to your question).......in HS, the kicking team cannot advance a muffed punt or kick. It is dead where they regain possession. To be able to score off a muffed punt or kick, the receiving team would first have to possess the ball and then fumble.

[oneoak]

In a game I saw last season, the kicking team attempted an on side kick. The ball went over ten yards and the kicking team recovered the ball in the air. The receiving team was awarded the ball anyway. I assume that must be because the receiving team must be given an opportunity to field the ball. Is that correct?

[Jeaux Burreaux]

In a game I saw last season, the kicking team attempted an on side kick. The ball went over ten yards and the kicking team recovered the ball in the air. The receiving team was awarded the ball anyway. I assume that must be because the receiving team must be given an opportunity to field the ball. Is that correct?

If kicking team tries an onside kick and just kicks the ball in the air without the ball touching the ground first the receiving team can call a fair catch. And play is done.

[CharlieHustle]

In a game I saw last season, the kicking team attempted an on side kick. The ball went over ten yards and the kicking team recovered the ball in the air. The receiving team was awarded the ball anyway. I assume that must be because the receiving team must be given an opportunity to field the ball. Is that correct?

The kicking team cannot catch a ball out of the air, in order for a kicking team to get the ball back, the ball must first be grounded.
In fact, if a kicking team tries to catch the ball out of the air without it first being grounded, then it is a kick-catching-interference penalty.

[shoelace]

How long will it be before HS adopts the new NFL kickoff change???

[Jeaux Burreaux]

How long will it be before HS adopts the new NFL kickoff change???

Hard enough to even get touchbacks in highschool now you want to add a rule where ball has to go in a certain zone by said kicker. No chance it happens anytime soon. College hasn’t even gone to it

[greygoose]

How long will it be before HS adopts the new NFL kickoff change???

I personally think you'll see kickoff go away before you'd see this type of rule change.