Not to mention the ghost facemask on the next play.
So, it's illegal to block a FG now?
Not to mention the ghost facemask on the next play.
See NCAA 2017 Football Rules Bulletin #1, page 2. This is from September of this year. See play 3 under Leaping.
http://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/fi...1_20170920.pdf
Leaping or Hurdling
Play #1: Fourth and 10 at B-18 and Team A attempts a Field Goal. B21 is lined up at the B-12
yard line and prior to the snap begins running forward. At the snap, B21 is still running forward
and at the B-16 yard line he jumps straight up in an attempt to block the kick. B21 (a) lands on
A71 at the B-17 or (b) lands on his feet at the B-17. The field goal is good.
RULING: In both (a) and (b), B21 has committed a foul for leaping. Team A can decline the
penalty and keep the 3 points or accept the penalty and have 1st and goal at the B-9. Rule 9-1-11-
b now has no reference as to whether a Team B player lands on another player.
Play #2: Fourth and 10 at B-18 and Team A attempts a Field Goal. B21 is lined up at the B-17
yard line and as the ball is being snapped, steps up and leaps in an attempt to block the kick. B21
lands on A71 at the line of scrimmage. The field goal is good.
RULING: There is no foul for leaping. Score 3 points for Team A. It is not a foul for leaping if
a Team B player is lined up in a stationary position within one yard of the line of scrimmage when
the ball is snapped. (9-1-11-b)
Play #3: Fourth and 10 at B-18 and Team A attempts a Field Goal. B21 is lined up at the B-15
yard line and as the ball is being kicked, steps up and leaps in an attempt to block the kick. The
field goal is good.
RULING: There is no foul for leaping. Score 3 points for Team A. Since B21 is not running
forward there is no foul for leaping. (9-1-11-b)
Rule 12-3-1(r) now states that players are prohibited from the following:
Running forward and leaping across the line of scrimmage in an obvious attempt to block a field goal or Try Kick, unless the player was in a stationary position on the line of scrimmage when the ball was snapped. A player who is behind the line of scrimmage before, or at the snap, may run forward and leap, provided he does not cross the line of scrimmage or land on players.
What this means is that players will still be allowed to jump straight up to block a kick, but will not be able to take a running start and jump over the line of blockers. Linemen who are stationary at the snap will also still be allowed to leap, and there is no restriction on landing on players. Using a teammate to gain leverage is also still illegal. The penalty for violating the rule will be a foul for unsportsmanlike conduct which is 15 yards, and if the kick is doesn?t score, it?s an automatic first down. If the kick is good, the kicking team can either enforce on the kickoff or take the points off the board and have an automatic first down.
The main purpose of the rule is player safety, as the league does not want players either being upended as they jump over or landing on other players. This rule was also changed in the NCAA, and their rules committee worked closely with the NFL to develop the wording and philosophy of the new rule.
Rule 12-3-1(r) now states that players are prohibited from the following:
Running forward and leaping across the line of scrimmage in an obvious attempt to block a field goal or Try Kick, unless the player was in a stationary position on the line of scrimmage when the ball was snapped. A player who is behind the line of scrimmage before, or at the snap, may run forward and leap, provided he does not cross the line of scrimmage or land on players.
What this means is that players will still be allowed to jump straight up to block a kick, but will not be able to take a running start and jump over the line of blockers. Linemen who are stationary at the snap will also still be allowed to leap, and there is no restriction on landing on players. Using a teammate to gain leverage is also still illegal. The penalty for violating the rule will be a foul for unsportsmanlike conduct which is 15 yards, and if the kick is doesn?t score, it?s an automatic first down. If the kick is good, the kicking team can either enforce on the kickoff or take the points off the board and have an automatic first down.
The main purpose of the rule is player safety, as the league does not want players either being upended as they jump over or landing on other players. This rule was also changed in the NCAA, and their rules committee worked closely with the NFL to develop the wording and philosophy of the new rule.
It looks like it is taking a long time for them to figure out what they meant by their own rule change.