What is the difference between running into and roughing the kicker?

Running into the kicker is contact with his kicking leg or sliding under him. Roughing is contact with his plant leg while the kicking leg is in the air, contact when both feet are down, or other unnecessary roughness.

Is running into the kicker an automatic first down?

No. It is five yards from the previous spot with no automatic first down.

Is roughing the kicker an automatic first down?

Yes. It is a 15-yard personal foul with an automatic first down.

VS.September 26, 20263 min read

Running Into An NFL Kicker Is 5 Yards. Roughing Him Is 15 And A First Down.

Rule 12, Section 2, Article 12 splits contact with a kicker into two fouls. Where the defender makes contact decides which one it is.

The NFL rulebook treats contact with a kicker as one of two fouls, and the difference is ten yards and a first down.

Running into the kicker

It is running into the kicker if a defensive player contacts the kicking leg or foot of the kicker, even if the kicker is airborne, or slides under the kicker and keeps him from returning both feet to the ground. The penalty is loss of five yards from the previous spot. It is not a personal foul, and there is no automatic first down.

Roughing the kicker

It is roughing the kicker if a defensive player contacts the plant leg while the kicking leg is still in the air, slides into or contacts the kicker when both of his feet are on the ground, or commits any other act of unnecessary roughness against him. The penalty is loss of 15 yards from the previous spot as a personal foul, and an automatic first down. The player may be disqualified if the action is flagrant.

When contact is legal

01It is incidental and comes after the defender has touched the kick in flight
02It is caused by the kicker's own motions
03The defender was pushed or blocked into the kicker
04It occurs during or after a run behind the line

Quick answers

What is the difference between running into and roughing the kicker?: Running into the kicker is contact with his kicking leg or sliding under him. Roughing is contact with his plant leg while the kicking leg is in the air, contact when both feet are down, or other unnecessary roughness.
Is running into the kicker an automatic first down?: No. It is five yards from the previous spot with no automatic first down.
Is roughing the kicker an automatic first down?: Yes. It is a 15-yard personal foul with an automatic first down.

Sources

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