Today's Play That Left EVERYONE Scratching Their Heads

Image Source:   HERE

If you watch enough football than you are obviously up-to-date with all the new rules and rule changes.  At least so I thought.

I am an avid follower of the NFL and I try to keep-up with all the changes. Any change in the rule books can literally effect the outcome of a game (such as the "tuck-rule" back in 2001).

Today however, threw me for a loop. It was an obscure, unheard of rule that dates back to 1964. The rule left a lot of people scratching their heads as to what exactly was happening down on the field.

The game involved the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers. The Bucs punter punted the ball out of his own endzone. It traveled only 39 yards and the Panthers punt returner signaled a "fair catch."

This "fair catch" brought the wheels in motion regarding this old rule. Basically, it set-up a field goal with one second remaining before halftime. But here's where it gets kooky. There were no defensive lineman trying to block the field goal. The entire defensive unit was lined up 10 yards from the line of scrimmage.

Here are the details of this obscure rule called the “free kick field goal.”

1.  There is no snap of the football.

2.  The defense will stand 10 yards from the line of scrimmage (until the ball is kicked).

3.  The kicker cannot use a tee. Instead, the ball must be kicked like a regular field goal or drop-kicked.

4.  Even if there is no time left on the clock the receiving team can still attempt a free kick.

Got all of that?  It's a bit overwhelming and quite confusing.

Here is how it played out.
It help me to understand this crazy rule...

Here is another example of a team electing to use the “free kick field goal." This one dates back to the year 2013...

What makes this even more nutty is that today's Bucs/Panthers game was played over in England. These fans are just trying to find-out (and get used to) the rules of American football as it is.

Now American football is even more confusing for our neighbors from across the pond.