Kicking Game Checklist

Here are a couple of little known rules about the kicking game.

In order to properly down a punt, the covering team should pick the ball up until they hear the whistle. If they just touch the ball, it is not officially downed. If they just touch it, the return team can attempt to pick the ball up and return it, with NO RISK. If they fumble the ball or lose yards, they can choose to take the ball at the spot that it was touched by the covering team. If they gain yards, they can take the yards gained. There is NO RISK to the return team, (other than injury).

If you faircatch a kick (punt or kickoff), you may elect to use a "free-kick" without the other team attempting a block. So if at the end of a half, you have the opponent pinned deep in their own end, and you faircatch a ball at the 30 yard line. You can now attempt a field goal without a rush against you. You do still have to cover in case they return it though.