Ask the Ref: Drop kick onside kicks are legal in high school

Q: In college, we recently saw Oregon State attempt a drop kick onside kick on the kickoff. Is this legal in high school? - Travis Smith, Sylvester

A: "Rule 2-24-2 states 'A free kick (kickoff) can be a place kick or a drop kick, to put the ball in play at the beginning of each half or after a successful field goal or try (extra point).' Rule 2-24-6 states 'A drop kick is a legal kick by a player that drops the ball and kicks it when it touches the ground or after it rises from touching the ground. You can drop kick for a kickoff, scrimmage kick (punt), kickoff after a safety or a kickoff following a fair catch or awarded fair catch.'

"So, yes you can drop kick an onside kick. But remember, before the ball can be recovered by the kicking team, the ball must go 10 yards and touch the ground (in either order). Also note that the act of letting the ball touch the ground for a drop kick doesn't count for the ball touching the ground for the kicking team to recover the ball. I haven't seen a drop kick in 25 years, and I have never seen a drop kick for an onside kick." - James Arnold, Etowah Valley Football Officials Association