Roughing or Running Into the Kicker | NFL Football Operations (2024)

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 12

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Rule 12 Section 2 Article 12

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ROUGHING/RUNNING INTO THE KICKER

No defensive player may run into or rough a kicker who kicks from behind the line unless such contact:

is incidental to and occurs after the defender has touched the kick in flight
is caused by the kicker’s own motions
occurs during a quick kick or a rugby-style kick
occurs during or after a run behind the line
occurs after the kicker recovers a loose ball on the ground
occurs because a defender is pushed or blocked (causing a change of direction) into the kicker
is the result of a foul by an opponent

Item 1. Roughing the kicker. It is a foul for roughing the kicker if a defensive player:

contacts the plant leg of the kicker while his kicking leg is still in the air
slides into or contacts the kicker when both of the kicker’s feet are on the ground. It is not a foul if the contact is not severe, or if the kicker returns both feet to the ground prior to the contact and falls over a defender on the ground

Note: When in doubt, it is a foul for roughing the kicker.

Item 2. Running into the Kicker. It is a foul for running into the kicker if a defensive player:

contacts the kicking foot of the kicker, even if the kicker is airborne when the contact occurs
slides under the kicker, preventing him from returning both feet to the ground

Penalties:

For roughing the kicker: Loss of 15 yards from the previous spot (personal foul) and an automatic first down. The player may be disqualified if the action is flagrant.
For running into the kicker: Loss of five yards from the previous spot (not a personal foul). There is not an automatic first down.

Additional Rules

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Rule 4 Section 6

Kickoff Rules

Rule 6 Sections 1-2

Scoring Plays

Rule 11 Sections 1-5

Safety

Rule 11 Section 5

Forward Pass

Rule 8 Section 1

Backward Pass

Rule 8 Section 7

Ineligible Receiver

Rule 8 Section 1 Article 6

Fumbling in the End Zone

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Down by Contact

Rule 7 Section 2 Article 1

Use of the Helmet

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 10

Roughing the Passer

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 11

Completing a Catch

Rule 8 Section 1 Articles 3-4

Non-Football Act Fouls

Rule 12 Section 3

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Rule 12 Section 2 Article 15

Fair Catch

Rule 10 Section 2

Clipping

Rule 3 Section 6

Illegal Formation

Rule 7 Section 5 Article 1

Illegal Motion

Rule 7 Section 4 Article 8

Illegal Shift

Rule 7 Section 4 Article 7

Defensive Pass Interference

Rule 8 Section 5

Offensive Pass Interference

Rule 8 Section 5

Offensive Holding

Rule 12 Section 1 Article 3

Illegal Contact

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Rule 12 Section 1 Article 6

Horse Collar

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 16

Chop Block

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 5

Low Block

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 4

Illegal Use of Hands / Facemask

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Rule 3 Section 4 Article 2

Neutral Zone Infraction

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Illegal Block Above the Waist

Rule 12 Section 1 Article 3

Defenseless Player

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 9

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Rule 12 Section 2 Article 2

Intentional Grounding

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