What, under the rules of football, is an illegal kick on a kickoff?
Answer Nicholas Rules 2-15 and 6-2 govern the illegal kicks on kick offs. I have listed the relevant rule cites below. One of the rationales why it is illegal to kick the ball out-of bounds on a free kick after it touches the playing surface is because such an act does not permit the receiving team to return the ball. It is a foul so as to encourage kicks that can be returned for fair competition. The idea is to put the ball into play so that the kicking team’s opponents have an opportunity to compete and to return the ball. RULE 2 SECTION 15. defines Kicks Legal and Illegal Kicks ARTICLE 1. Kicking the ball is intentionally striking the ball with the knee, lower leg or foot. When in question, a ball is accidentally touched rather than intentionally kicked. a. A legal kick is a punt, drop kick or place kick made according to the rules by a player of Team A before a change of team possession. Kicking the ball in any other manner is illegal (A.R. 6-1-2-I). b. Any free kick or scrimmage k
