What is the free kick rule in pro football?

Answer 1

Following possession of a kickoff

When a team has forced the other team to punt away, and calls a fair catch, they are entitled to take a free kick (fair catch kick in the NFL). This is basically a kick off the ground from where you caught the fair catch. This is different from any other kick because there is no snap and the defense does not rush the kicker.

This is only of use if there is little or no time remaining and the ball is caught within field goal distance, which would be the intent of the kick. The kick is taken from the yard line of the catch, not from behind a line of scrimmage.

Following a safety

A team that gives up a safety delivers a free kick from its own 20-yard line, either from a punt, a placekick without a tee, or a dropkick. A safety scores 2 points and possession from the free kick.

Answer 2

Where a player is fouled, they are rewarded with a kick where the other team have to leave the ball to the kick taker. This can be a direct free kick (which may score) or an indirect free kick (which could only be scored by another player).

* US football free kick

A kickoff from the 20-yard line that follows a safety by the defense, awarding them 2 points and possession of the ball (via the 20-yard line kick). It is typically a kick rather than a punt.

Answer 3

A free kick is any kick not taken from a play at the line of scrimmage. That includes kickoffs, kicks after safeties, and the fair catch kick.

Answer 4

A free kick is awarded when a major fowl is committed. and you get two direct and indirect free kicks as well.