USA Football Rules Editor Bill LeMonnier is a former college referee who currently serves as an ESPN NCAA rules analyst. Click here to ask Bill a question. Make sure to put “Ask the Official” in the subject line.

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On kickoff, if the non-kicking (plant foot) foot of the kicker steps across the line prior to him striking the ball, is this a penalty?

The kicker is an exception to the rule on being offside on a kickoff. He may have his plant foot ahead of the ball or free kick line.

Pro and NCAA rules refer to any other player being ahead of the kick as offside. High school federation rules refer to this as encroachment. These are live ball fouls in the NFL and NCAA, a dead ball foul in high school federation football.

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Can a team call two time outs in a row?

Yes at the youth, high school and college levels. No in the NFL.