Ball Kicked During Forward Pass

authored by Andrew Baker

3rd and 10 on A's 30. A-2 receives the snap and throws the ball toward A-7 and B-9 at A's 38. Both players jump up for the ball and marginal contact is made. The ball is bobbled and possession is not secured. A-7 and B-9 land while maintaining footing to stay upright, and A-7 purposefully kicks the ball back toward the line of scrimmage and it is ruled incomplete at A's 32. How do you enforce this play?

3rd and 20 on A's 20. The pass is incomplete, but A-7 has illegally kicked the ball. The penalty for this is Illegal Kicking (Rule 9-5-3). Since it occurred during a loose ball, the 10-yard penalty should be enforced from the previous spot, replay down.