1. Protected Scrimmage Kick
1.1 On fourth down or any preceding down, the offense may choose to kick the ball (punt). All scrimmage kicks must be announced to the referee who will immediately inform the defense of the decision.
1.2 Once the decision is made it is final. However, if a team time-out is called the kicking team must re-declare the protected scrimmage kick.
1.3 The kicker and kicking team must remain and kick the ball behind his/her line of scrimmage.
1.4 The receiver and receiving team must remain and receive the ball behind his/her line of scrimmage.
1.5 Once the ball is kicked the receiver has the option of receiving the kick or letting it strike the ground.
1.6 Once the ball is caught or strikes the ground the ball becomes dead. If the ball goes out-of-bounds the ball becomes dead and is spotted at the spot where the ball crossed the plane of the side line.