I don't believe I've ever heard of this. Kudos to those who knew this was an option. Apparently, this is the first one since 1971. For those that may have missed it.
Free Kick in the NFL
- Thread starter Obliviax
- Start date
A free kick is legal in college and high-school football also.
I turned it on and saw the kicker lining up like it was a kickoff. The announcers were talking about it gaining 3 points. There was no time on the clock. I was trying to figure out why they were kicking off with zero time on the clock even if there was a defensive penalty. Why not throw a hail mary? Then I heard a reference to a free kick. Then the dude nailed it from 57 yards IIRC.
Interesting it is a free kick so the dude can line up and wail on it. But, of course, that throws off the natural rhythm. I've seen guys put it through the uprights on kickoffs from their own 35, which would be a 75-yard field goal.
I heard this fair catch rule discussed previously but I do not recall actually seeing it effectively utilized.
I could be wrong, but I recall having a discussion regarding attempting a field goal utilizing the 'drop kick'. As I understood the rule, if you are a player approaching the end zone goal posts you can drop kick the ball through their goal post at any time and your team will be awarded 3 points. (like a rugby kick).
I believe that a drop kick field goal is still legal but I don't necessarily know why you would do it.
The Chargers were the last NFL team to make one in 1976. There have been missed attempts since then. I think Harbaugh’s 49ers team missed one so he definitely knows the rule.
I saw one in a high school game about 15 years ago. Coach knew the rule and took advantage of it.
It is so rare because you need so many things to converge. Punting as time expires in the half or game, a fair catch, an interference penalty on the fair catch on the punting team, good field position to make the free kick. Crazy. Never knew this rule existed.
Yeah I saw he tried it in 2013 when with the 49ers. They missed the kick. He said it is his favorite football rule.
Last play of game, down by 1 or 2 but out of field goal range, pass it to a receiver who doesn’t think he can get to the end zone but is close enough to drop kick? A bit of a stretch, but maybe if the guy had punting experience…
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