North Dakota Preps

A question someone asked me, when a team is kicking an extra point and run a fake, the holder usually has his knee on the ground, get the snap, stand up and throw/run the ball, or maybe a quick pitch to the kicker. If their knee is on the ground when they get the snap, wouldn't they be considered down? In high school and college, if a knee touches the ground even without contact, the ball carrier is down. You see it all the time when a receiver has to go low to catch a pass and a knee touches, they are down. Is the rule different on extra points?

wouldn't every kick not count then if the holder fielded the snap with a knee on the ground

From the rule book for college/HS:
"When any part of the ball carrier’s body, except his hand or foot, touches the ground or when the ball carrier is tackled or otherwise falls and loses possession of the ball as he contacts the ground with any part of his body, except his hand or foot [Exception: The ball remains alive when an offensive player has simulated a kick or at the snap is in position to kick the ball held for a place kick by a teammate. The ball may be kicked, passed or advanced by rule]"

WalkingStick wrote:wouldn't every kick not count then if the holder fielded the snap with a knee on the ground

From the rule book for college/HS:
"When any part of the ball carrier’s body, except his hand or foot, touches the ground or when the ball carrier is tackled or otherwise falls and loses possession of the ball as he contacts the ground with any part of his body, except his hand or foot [Exception: The ball remains alive when an offensive player has simulated a kick or at the snap is in position to kick the ball held for a place kick by a teammate. The ball may be kicked, passed or advanced by rule]"

That makes sense, someone mentioned it when they saw a fake PAT last night and I never gave it much thought before

HS: Holder cannot pitch or throw from kneeled position. May catch on knee, but then must rise to do anything with ball other than hold.

College: Holder may pitch or throw from kneeled position.

The difference is due to slightly different wording of the rules.