The league introduced a change to the Contacting the Kicker rule.
The ratified rule changes for 2019 include:
- Removing the stipulation that allows a defender to contact a kicker’s plant leg without penalty if the defender has touched the ball prior to contact.
CFL Board of Governors approves all rule changes proposed by rules committee
We saw an example in the Ticats-Als game of what this rule change will do. A defender deflected the punt, resulting in a nine yard punt. But his momentum carried him into the punter (or he may have been pushed into the punter - not sure), and he was flagged for Roughing the Kicker. In the past, this would have been considered a great play by the defender.
What will be the impact of this rule change? Have we seen the end of punt blocking? Or will defenders just start to take a slightly different angle to avoid running straight into the punter?
I’m curious what people think of this rule change. Do you support it or not?