Akers 63 yd FG

**MNCYWX** · 09-09-2012, 05:03 PM

David Akers ties the record for longest FG by hitting the crossbar and bouncing through.

Sidebar question: Can the defender jump and swat the ball away and deflect the ball from going through?

#Uneducated with obscure NFL rules

**jdoggivjc** · 09-09-2012, 05:04 PM

Most entertaining made FG ever.

**cobraclone71** · 09-09-2012, 05:04 PM

That. Was. Insane.

**CEcyclone** · 09-09-2012, 05:05 PM

God loves the niners!

**Rabbuk** · 09-09-2012, 05:05 PM

He's on my fantasy team and has 14 points at half.

**ISUcy08** · 09-09-2012, 05:05 PM

Bang biscuit! Go 9ers!

**CLONECONES** · 09-09-2012, 05:13 PM

that was insane lol

BEAT THE ******* PACKERS

**price26** · 09-09-2012, 05:14 PM

I would assume it's fair game to jump up and block it from going over the cross bar since you can block a field goal from behind the line of scrimmage.

However I'm sure it would be insanely difficult to do so and I'm sure I'll never see it in my lifetime.

**mred** · 09-09-2012, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by MNCYWX

Sidebar question: Can the defender jump and swat the ball away and deflect the ball from going through?

It appears to be illegal in the NFL and NCAA. It was legal at one time (and had been executed successfully in the NFL) but is no longer legal.

**Cycl1** · 09-09-2012, 05:15 PM

what a kick. BOING, and it bounces through, nuts. 6 yards longer than his previous best (57 for those bad at math) made in 2003.

**Jordanj6502** · 09-09-2012, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by mred

It appears to be illegal in the NFL and NCAA. It was legal at one time (and had been executed successfully in the NFL) but is no longer legal.

Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 (informally known as the "Stroud Rule"): "Goal tending by any player leaping up to deflect a kick as it passes above the crossbar of a goal post is prohibited. The referee could award 3 points for a palpably unfair act".

Morris Stroud - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**mred** · 09-09-2012, 05:21 PM

It is apparently legal in NCAA football only if the player is able to catch it cleanly, which seems pretty unlikely. Otherwise it is illegal batting.

**vmbplayer** · 09-09-2012, 05:21 PM

Mike Pereira (the Fox officiating guru) tweeted you are not allowed to 'goal tend'. Not sure what the penalty is.

**RING4CY** · 09-09-2012, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by MNCYWX

David Akers ties the record for longest FG by hitting the crossbar and bouncing through.

Sidebar question: Can the defender jump and swat the ball away and deflect the ball from going through?

#Uneducated with obscure NFL rules

My understanding of the rule is the player cannot attempt to block the ball while the trajectory of the ball is on its way down. Obviously, the player at the back of the endzone can attempt to catch it (see Nathan Vasher, Hester, Cromartie). The Packer on Akers kick, attempted to gain control of the ball by leaping at the ball. My understanding is if he had made contact with the ball, he would have had to secure possession of the ball. Otherwise, I believe it is some sort of kick interference, and a re-kick is allowed.

I've worked a special teams camp for the past decade or so, and that is where I learned my understanding of this rule. I'll see if I can find the rule in writing.

**mred** · 09-09-2012, 05:25 PM

Goaltending for football? | Smart Football

Looks like it's a safety in college. In the NFL, I believe the penalty is awarding the three points to the kicking team.