Article 1: Typically known as a kick off, a free kick can be a drop kick, a punt, or a kick either held on the ground and/or placed on a tee, which is no higher than 1” above the ground.  A free kick is used to start the game and the second half.  It is also used to put the ball in play after a score; however, a free kick punt may only be used to put the ball in play after a safety.

Article 2: The kick off will be from the kicking team’s own 30-yard line - unless moved by penalty.   A free kick is a live ball after it goes ten (10) yards - unless it travels into the end zone.  This means that the kicking team can recover a free kick even if the receiving team has not touched it.  A free kick that travels into the end zone is immediately blown dead and is a touchback - even if it has been touched or muffed by the receiving team.  The ball comes out to the 20-yard line where it is put in play from scrimmage.  If the receiving team deliberately carries, kicks, or pushes the ball into the end zone, and the ball is loose in the end zone it is a live ball.  If recovered by the kicking team, it is a touchdown.  If recovered by the offense, the ball may be run out of the end zone or covered in the end zone.  If covered, it is a touchback.  IF IN ATTEMPTING TO RUN THE BALL OUT OF THE END ZONE AND THE BALL CARRIER IS DE-FLAGGED IN THE END ZONE IT IS A TOUCHBACK.  IF THE BALL IS RUN OUT OF THE END ZONE AND CARRIED BACK IN AND THEN THE RUNNER IS DE-FLAGGED IN THE END ZONE IT IS A SAFETY..  After a safety, the free kick is normally kicked from the 20-yard line of the kicking team. 

Article 3: The position of the players on the kicking team, at the time of the free kick, is behind the line where the ball is kicked, and in the field of play.  They must remain behind this line until the ball is kicked, except for the holder of the ball and the kicker whose non-kicking foot may be over the line, at which point, they may go down field in pursuit of the ball or the player who fields the ball.  Failure to stay behind the line is considered off-sides, and will result in a five (5) yard penalty.  The penalty will mean the ball will be re-kicked from 5 yards beyond where last kicked.  The receiving team will have the choice of the play or the penalty.

Article 4:  The position of the receiving team players at the time of the free kick is 10 yards beyond the free kick line.  They must be in bounds and may not be in front of their restraining line, i. e., that line that is 10 yards down field from the free kick line, until the ball is kicked.  After the ball is kicked, they may go anyplace on the field, and block, in a legal manner, kicking team members.  Failure to stay behind the line until the ball is kicked is considered off sides and will result in a five (5) yard penalty.  The kicking team will have the option of taking the play or the penalty that will result in a re-kick from 5 yards closer than where last kicked.

Article 5:  In WAFFF play, there are no provisions for free kicking points after touchdowns, or for kicking field goals.

Article 6: Should a free kick go out of bounds, without touching a receiving team member, the receiving team has the option of taking the ball where it went out of bounds, or on their own 30-yard line.  If it touches a receiving team member and then goes out of bounds, the ball is set up for play at the point where it went out of bounds or at the point that it was touched - whichever is closer to the receiving team’s goal line.  If it touches a kicking team member before going out, the receiving team has the same choices as if it had gone out of bounds without touching anyone.

Article 7:  A free kick may also be used as an on-side kick, i. e., kicked short with the intent to be recovered by the kicking team.  An on-side kick must travel 10 yards before the kicking team can touch it.  If it does not go 10 yards, the ball belongs to the receiving team at the point where either the kicking team or receiving team recovers the ball.  Should it go out of bounds, the same rules apply as to any free kick that goes out of bounds.  If it goes 10 yards, it is a legal free kick and the same rules apply as to any free kick.

Article 8:  In all cases, the person receiving the free kick (in the air) must be given the opportunity to catch the ball and no member of the kicking team is permitted to be any closer than 2 yards from the receiver.  Failure to give that opportunity will result in the kicking team being penalized five (5) yards for interference with the opportunity to catch a kick.  Flagrant violation of this rule, i.e., hard running into the receiver will be a fifteen (15) yard penalty for conduct detrimental to the game.  The receiver has the right to advance the ball even after the foul has been called; however, even with a fumble or loss on the play the receiving team will have the option of taking the play or the penalty from the spot of the infraction.  If the ball first touches the ground, the kicking team may move to recover the ball, without any restrictions.

Section 2 - FAIR CATCH

Article 1:  Any potential receivers of any free kick may signal for a fair catch, by raising the hand above the head, and waving the hand in an obvious manner.  When a fair catch has been signaled, no member of the kicking team may touch or interfere with the ultimate receiver in any manner.  Should the defender touch or interfere, a penalty will be called. 

Article 2:  The person who receives the fair catch - even if that person did not make the fair catch signal - may take only two steps after the catch.  In order for the fair catch to be valid, the ball must be fielded cleanly.  Should the receiver drop the ball the fair catch is no longer in effect.  If the receiver runs with the ball, a penalty will be called.  The penalty for interfering with a fair catch is five (5) yards from the spot of the foul, unless it is flagrant, then the penalty will be fifteen (15) yards. This is a judgment call by the official.  The penalty for running with the ball after a fair catch is five (5) yards for delay of game, from the spot of the fair catch.

Section 3 - RETURN AFTER A FREE KICK

Article 1: The receiving team may advance the ball by running.  They may throw the ball laterally or backwards as many times as they wish; however, they may not pass the ball forward.  Should a ball be passed forward, it is a five (5) yard penalty for an illegal forward pass from the spot of the pass.  The penalty will be assessed after the play.  The kicking team has the option of taking the play or the penalty.