SECTION 3 — BLOCKED KICK

Article 1 — Definition

A blocked kick is a kick from scrimmage in which, after being kicked, the ball is prevented from crossing the line of scrimmage because of contact with an opponent or a player of the kicking team who is offside.

It is not a blocked kick if, on a kick from scrimmage, the ball is touched by or touches an opponent or a player of the kicking team who is offside and then crosses the line of scrimmage. Such touching of the ball shall be disregarded.

If the kicked ball, after being touched prior to crossing the line of scrimmage, should strike any part of the receiving team's goal post assembly in flight without touching the ground, an official or a player, it shall be declared dead immediately and awarded to the receiving team on its 25-yard line.

Article 2 — Recovery Of Blocked Kick

If the ball is blocked, without going Out of Bounds, it may legally be recovered by a player of either team. If, however, the ball is recovered by a player of the kicking team, the continuing play shall be considered as any other play from scrimmage.

Article 3 — Blocked Out of Bounds

Where a kick is blocked and the ball goes Out of Bounds:

1. On first and second down, it shall belong to the team last touching it in the Field of Play, 24 yards in from the Sideline:
   1. at the point where the ball left the Field of Play or,
   2. at the point where the ball was last touched in the Field of Play, whichever point is closer to the Goal Line of the team entitled to possession.
2. On third down, it shall belong to the non-kicking team at either of the points set out in (a) above.

Article 4 — Blocked Into Goal Area

When a kick is blocked in the Field of Play or Goal Area, and is declared dead in the Goal Area in possession of the kicking team, or goes Out of Bounds in the Goal Area without either team taking possession, a safety touch score shall be awarded to the non-kicking team. No Option.

• SECTION 2 — KICKOFF
• SECTION 4 — KICK FROM SCRIMMAGE AND OPEN-FIELD KICK