College Football Punting Rules: When Can You Punt a Kickoff?

Question
When kicking off, is it legal to kick by using a punt, rather than the standard method of place-kicking?

Answer
Richard,

Thanks for your question about free kicks.  Yes, it is legal to "kick off" by punting the ball, but only after a safety - all other free kicks (i.e. to start a half, following a touchdown, following a field goal) must be placed kicked from the ground or a tee. Rule 2-15-5-b provides that a free kick after a safety may be a punt, drop kick or place kick.  All other free kicks are to be place kicks.

Below is some information that you may find interesting from th erule book.  Rule 2 Section 15 of the NCAA Football rules defines Legal and Illegal Kicks:

ARTICLE 1. a. Kicking the ball is intentionally striking the ball with the knee, lower leg or foot.
b. 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).
c. Any free kick or scrimmage kick continues to be a kick until it is caught or recovered by a player or becomes dead.
d. When in question, a ball is accidentally touched rather than kicked.

Punt
ARTICLE 2. A punt is a kick by a player who drops the ball and kicks it before it strikes the ground.

Drop Kick
ARTICLE 3. A drop kick is a kick by a player who drops the ball and kicks it as it touches the ground.

Place Kick
ARTICLE 4. a. A field goal place kick is a kick by a player of the team in possession while the ball is controlled on the ground by a teammate.
b. A free kick place kick is a kick by a player of the team in possession while the ball is positioned on a tee or the ground. It may be controlled by a teammate. The ball may be positioned on the ground and contacting the tee.
c. A tee is a device that elevates the ball for kicking purposes. It may not elevate the ball抯 lowest point more than one inch above the ground.

Free Kick
ARTICLE 5. a. A free kick is a kick by a player of the team in possession made under restrictions specified in Rules 4-1-4, 6-1-1 and 6-1-2.
b. A free kick after a safety may be a punt, drop kick or place kick.

Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official