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From: pmf@ihuxp.UUCP (Phil Francisco)
Newsgroups: net.sport.football
Subject: Re: Rules question - Onsides Kicks
Message-ID: <508@ihuxp.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 2-Nov-83 14:07:17 EST
Article-I.D.: ihuxp.508
Posted: Wed Nov  2 14:07:17 1983
Date-Received: Sun, 6-Nov-83 06:58:17 EST
References: <262@crystal.ARPA>, <622@qubix.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, Il
Lines: 18

In reply to Mr. Bickford's entry concerning whether or not a kickoff
can or cannot be fielded by the kicking team, I believe he was mistaken 
in saying that either team can field one.  As far as I can tell, ONLY the
receiving team can catch the ball *PRIOR* to the ball landing/bouncing on
the field once after the kickoff.   Therefore, a short, high kick could 
not be fielded by the kicking team until it hit the ground.  The example
concerning the Cards and the Niners was one in which the result was just a
40+ yard onside kick (it did travel at least 10 yds, eh?) since the 49ers
didn't pick up the ball.

BTW, the receiving team can call for a fair catch of an onside kick but
once the ball touches the ground, all bets are off and if it goes 10+ yds
either team can fall on the ball and take possession.



						--Phil Francisco
			                       ...ihnp4!ihuxp!pmf