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I had not though of this before, but looking at a picture I really started to wonder about this.

The rule in college football that if your knee touches the ground you are down, play over. It doesn't matter if you catch the ball with your knee down, the catch is good but you are instantly down.

How does this rule not apply to field goals? The holders knee is down, should the play not be dead?

I've always wondered the same. Particularly when the holder makes no attempt to get up, example, the LSU fake FG where the holder tossed it over his shoulder from one knee.

But yeah, if a QB had to go to a knee to grab a snap, he'd be called down. Why do holders get a privilege? I can understand it being a part of the FG process to be on one knee, but if you make a play other than holding from a knee, it should be down.

I think college should do away with the knee rule anyway.

On the flip side, in the NFL going down without being touched isn't down. Why does a QB taking a knee from under center stop the play?

clenz wrote:I think college should do away with the knee rule anyway.

On the flip side, in the NFL going down without being touched isn't down. Why does a QB taking a knee from under center stop the play?

1. I agree.

2. Same rule that allows a QB to slide and be down without contact. Protecting QB's

I suspect this may be a compromise resulting from the ban of the multiple kick.

At least college and the NFL doesn't play by Philly rules. The drop kick would then be automatically illegal.

From the rulebook (I have the 2009 version, though I don't believe this has changed at all):

RULE 4-1 - ARTICLE 3. A live ball becomes dead and an official shall sound his whistle
or declare it dead:
...
b. When any part of the ball carrier’s body, except his hand or foot, touches
the ground or when the ball carrier is tackled or otherwise falls and loses
possession of the ball as he contacts the ground with any part of his
body, except his hand or foot [Exception: The ball remains alive when
an offensive player has simulated a kick or is in position to kick the ball
held for a place kick by a teammate. The ball may be kicked, passed or
advanced by rule] (A.R. 4-1-3-I).

clenz wrote:I think college should do away with the knee rule anyway.

On the flip side, in the NFL going down without being touched isn't down. Why does a QB taking a knee from under center stop the play?

its the same as a returner taking a knee in the endzone. the player is simply conceding the play.

ToTheLeft wrote:

clenz wrote:I think college should do away with the knee rule anyway.

On the flip side, in the NFL going down without being touched isn't down. Why does a QB taking a knee from under center stop the play?

1. I agree.

2. Same rule that allows a QB to slide and be down without contact. Protecting QB's

I hate the slide rule too.

UNHWildCats wrote:

clenz wrote:I think college should do away with the knee rule anyway.

On the flip side, in the NFL going down without being touched isn't down. Why does a QB taking a knee from under center stop the play?

its the same as a returner taking a knee in the endzone. the player is simply conceding the play.

Not really. The end zone is a "dead" area during kicks.

clenz wrote:

UNHWildCats wrote: its the same as a returner taking a knee in the endzone. the player is simply conceding the play.

Not really. The end zone is a "dead" area during kicks.

Depends on which kicks you're talking about. The ball is live on kickoffs. The ball is dead on punts (unless one is in the CFL). If a FG is caught on the fly, it can be returned. Just ask Nathan Vasher.

SuperHornet wrote:

clenz wrote: Not really. The end zone is a "dead" area during kicks.

Depends on which kicks you're talking about. The ball is live on kickoffs. The ball is dead on punts (unless one is in the CFL). If a FG is caught on the fly, it can be returned. Just ask Nathan Vasher.

I'm aware it's "live", but if the ball hits in the end zone it's a dead ball, unlike the rest of the field. Thus the "" around dead.

clenz wrote:Not really. The end zone is a "dead" area during kicks.

no cellphone coverage whatsoever.

JayJ79 wrote:

clenz wrote:Not really. The end zone is a "dead" area during kicks.

no cellphone coverage whatsoever.