Player straddles out-of-bounds line and touches kickoff (1 Viewer)

[bryhamm]

I caught something about it this AM on sportscenter, but missed what game it was and what player did it, but basically he put one foot out of bounds on a kickoff and touched the ball that was close to the sideline and forced the kick-out-of-bounds penalty.

Anyone got any more info?

 

[Cenobite]

Leon Washington during yesterday's game NYJ v. Bills. Smart play.

 

[harryhood]

I caught something about it this AM on sportscenter, but missed what game it was and what player did it, but basically he put one foot out of bounds on a kickoff and touched the ball that was close to the sideline and forced the kick-out-of-bounds penalty.Anyone got any more info?

Leon Washingtonstood out of bounds and touched the ball inbounds. ball spotted at the 40

 

[Road Warriors]

I caught something about it this AM on sportscenter, but missed what game it was and what player did it, but basically he put one foot out of bounds on a kickoff and touched the ball that was close to the sideline and forced the kick-out-of-bounds penalty.Anyone got any more info?

Didn't hear of this, but wouldn't that incur an "illegal touching" penalty, being out of bounds and the first to touch a live ball?If it was called the other way, I think it was called wrong.

 

[dgreen]

I remember Chad Morton doing it for the Redskins in 2004 against Baltimore.

 

[dgreen]

I caught something about it this AM on sportscenter, but missed what game it was and what player did it, but basically he put one foot out of bounds on a kickoff and touched the ball that was close to the sideline and forced the kick-out-of-bounds penalty.Anyone got any more info?

Didn't hear of this, but wouldn't that incur an "illegal touching" penalty, being out of bounds and the first to touch a live ball?If it was called the other way, I think it was called wrong.

I believe the rule is that you can't re-enter the field of play and be the first to touch the ball. There's no rule saying a player who is out of bounds can't touch the ball.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

I believe I first saw Brian Mitchell do this when he was the Eagles' returner.

It's an incredibly smart play. By stepping OOB and then touching the ball, you get the penalty flag and the ball on the 40 if the ball is even close to the sideline.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Smart play by Leon Washington.

Stupid rule by the NFL.

 

[Road Warriors]

Smart play by Leon Washington.Stupid rule by the NFL.

 

[rockalum]

Smart play by Leon Washington.Stupid rule by the NFL.

perhaps the dumbest rule i have ever seen in any sport.

 

[bryhamm]

Smart play by Leon Washington.Stupid rule by the NFL.

perhaps the dumbest rule i have ever seen in any sport.

Tuck rule downOh, crap ... I'm gonna derail my own thread.

 

[Rovers]

There is a reason for this rule, and it is the same for a KO that goes OOB beyond the sideline too. The NFL wants KO's to be returned. That is why they moved the kicking tee back a number of years ago. Attempting to use the sideline to defend field position on a KO is something the rules comittee does not want to see. They want to keep the kick off return play remain an exciting one. Kick near the sidelines... run the risk of getting penalized.

There is risk in what Leon Washington did too... once he plants a foot OOB, he has to remain OOB, or get a penalty, he is not allowed to return from being OOB.

A little known rule, but perhaps not as awful as some people think it is. The NFL wants the KO to go where a return is possible. That means away from the sideline. Very smart play by Washington.

 

[the elderly vandal]

Hester did it last year

 

[Das Boot]

There is a reason for this rule, and it is the same for a KO that goes OOB beyond the sideline too. The NFL wants KO's to be returned. That is why they moved the kicking tee back a number of years ago. Attempting to use the sideline to defend field position on a KO is something the rules comittee does not want to see. They want to keep the kick off return play remain an exciting one. Kick near the sidelines... run the risk of getting penalized.

There is risk in what Leon Washington did too... once he plants a foot OOB, he has to remain OOB, or get a penalty, he is not allowed to return from being OOB.

A little known rule, but perhaps not as awful as some people think it is. The NFL wants the KO to go where a return is possible. That means away from the sideline. Very smart play by Washington.

Unless I'm mistaken, he can return and participate in the play (e.g. block), or can safely touch the ball once another player has touched it.

 

[[scooter]]

There is a reason for this rule, and it is the same for a KO that goes OOB beyond the sideline too. The NFL wants KO's to be returned. That is why they moved the kicking tee back a number of years ago. Attempting to use the sideline to defend field position on a KO is something the rules comittee does not want to see. They want to keep the kick off return play remain an exciting one. Kick near the sidelines... run the risk of getting penalized.

There is risk in what Leon Washington did too... once he plants a foot OOB, he has to remain OOB, or get a penalty, he is not allowed to return from being OOB.

A little known rule, but perhaps not as awful as some people think it is. The NFL wants the KO to go where a return is possible. That means away from the sideline. Very smart play by Washington.

Unless I'm mistaken, he can return and participate in the play (e.g. block), or can safely touch the ball once another player has touched it.

He can also touch the ball to prevent the other team from recovering it.

 

[davearm]

I caught something about it this AM on sportscenter, but missed what game it was and what player did it, but basically he put one foot out of bounds on a kickoff and touched the ball that was close to the sideline and forced the kick-out-of-bounds penalty.Anyone got any more info?

Didn't hear of this, but wouldn't that incur an "illegal touching" penalty, being out of bounds and the first to touch a live ball?If it was called the other way, I think it was called wrong.

Touching a live ball while also having a body part touching OOB isn't illegal. It just puts the ball OOB too.In a similar vein, if you or a teammate fumble near the sideline, touching the loose ball while simultaneously getting a toe/knee/hand on the chalk would also be a very headsup play, because the fumble itself would then be deemed OOB and the possession would then revert to the offense.