An NFL official was on a local sports radio station today and said the Seattle player who leaped over the line of scrimmage may have violated an NFL rule.
Leaping to block a kick may be illegal under Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1(q) of the NFL rules. Article 1 of Section 3 lists all acts that the NFL considers to be unsportsmanlike conduct, which includes, “Running forward and leaping in an obvious attempt to block a field goal or (extra point) …” Players lined up within 1 yard of the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped are exempt from the leaping penalty. The NCAA has a similarly worded rule that applies to college football, although the college penalty is considered a personal foul.
A team called for leaping is assessed a 15-yard penalty from the previous line of scrimmage, or half the distance to the goal line if the line of scrimmage was inside the 30-yard line. Additionally, the player may be ejected from the game. If the penalty occurs during a field-goal attempt, the offensive team also receives an automatic first down, even if it previously needed more than 15 yards to gain a first down. If the penalty occurs during an extra-point try, the team can repeat the kick if it is blocked. The penalty is assessed on the ensuing kickoff if the extra point kick is good.
The leaping rule is designed to prevent players from lining up well past the line of scrimmage, getting a running start, then using their momentum to leap into the air and block a kick. The main focus of the rule, however, is player safety, because of the potential for injury if the leaper lands on another player. Significantly, the penalty is assessed even if the leaper lands on a teammate.
This is just my opinion but inconsistent officiating this NFL season has turned off a lot of fans and raises more questions than answers. Apparently, a rule may or may not be enforced dependent upon the mindset and opinion of the officials. That's a shame because it hurts the game more than it helps.
Leaping to block a kick may be illegal under Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1(q) of the NFL rules. Article 1 of Section 3 lists all acts that the NFL considers to be unsportsmanlike conduct, which includes, “Running forward and leaping in an obvious attempt to block a field goal or (extra point) …” Players lined up within 1 yard of the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped are exempt from the leaping penalty. The NCAA has a similarly worded rule that applies to college football, although the college penalty is considered a personal foul.
A team called for leaping is assessed a 15-yard penalty from the previous line of scrimmage, or half the distance to the goal line if the line of scrimmage was inside the 30-yard line. Additionally, the player may be ejected from the game. If the penalty occurs during a field-goal attempt, the offensive team also receives an automatic first down, even if it previously needed more than 15 yards to gain a first down. If the penalty occurs during an extra-point try, the team can repeat the kick if it is blocked. The penalty is assessed on the ensuing kickoff if the extra point kick is good.
The leaping rule is designed to prevent players from lining up well past the line of scrimmage, getting a running start, then using their momentum to leap into the air and block a kick. The main focus of the rule, however, is player safety, because of the potential for injury if the leaper lands on another player. Significantly, the penalty is assessed even if the leaper lands on a teammate.
This is just my opinion but inconsistent officiating this NFL season has turned off a lot of fans and raises more questions than answers. Apparently, a rule may or may not be enforced dependent upon the mindset and opinion of the officials. That's a shame because it hurts the game more than it helps.
