NFL Rule question: onside kicks

[blurredvision]

I need to know how this is handled in the NFL: Team A is facing Team B. Team A kicks an onside after a touchdown for whatever reason. The ball does not go 10 yards before being picked up.

My questions:

What happens if Team A picks up the ball? (I know it has to go 10 yards before they can keep it, but what happens when it doesn't go 10 yards? Do they kick again or does Team B get itautomatically?)
What if, by some chance, the ball does not go 10 yards, but is not touched by anyone before stopping?

TIA

 

[minendo]

Kick again.

 

[her209]

Rekick.

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: minendo
Kick again.

 

[cliftonite]

Originally posted by: rudeguy

Originally posted by: minendo
Kick again.

 

[spanky]

doesn't team a also get penalized?

 

[Dragnov]

I thougth they changed the rules this year, so that you do NOT get a re-kick. IF it doesn't go 10 yards it goes to the opposing team.

I thnk thats what I read for the GB games vs. Minnesota (it was not aired on TV for me.) Lemme double check.

 

[Dragnov]

Okay just found out the info.

"In the past, if a ball did not go 10 yards, went out of bounds, or was touched illegally, the kicking team was penalized, but had a chance to kick again from five yards back."

But now, if it happens in the last 5 minutes of the game, the opposing team just gets the ball.

 

[mpitts]

It used to be that you would have to re-kick, but the NFL finally figured out that allowing the kicking team to re-kick after they committed a penalty was pretty stupid.

From NFL.com:

The league did alter the rules concerning onside kicks in the final five minutes of a game. Previously, if a ball did not go 10 yards, went out of bounds or was touched illegally, the kicking team was penalized. However, the kicking team could kick again from five yards back.

Although, since that rewarded a team for an illegal play, there was a fear that changing the rule would stop coaches from attempting surprise onside kicks. Finally, an amendment passed to cover only the final five minutes, which is usually when a team that is trailing attempts to get another possession with an onside kick.

 

[ryzmah]

Good rule change - I hated that teams that screwed up the onside got another chance at the end of the game.

 

[blurredvision]

Thanks for the info guys.