Under what circumstances is a kicker NOT considered a kicker?

A kicker is not considered a kicker when they advance 5 yards past their free kick line because this specific action refers to a violation of the kicking responsibilities as defined by the rules. During a free kick, players on the kicking team must remain behind the free kick line until the ball has been kicked. If the kicker advances beyond this line before the kick, they lose their status as the designated kicker for that play.

In contrast, the other scenarios do not remove the kicker's status. For example, kicking the ball out of bounds may incur a penalty but does not negate the kicker's role. Missing the ball entirely is still a part of the kicking process, and hitting the kicker before the ball is kicked constitutes a foul that protects the kicker rather than removing their status. Thus, failing to adhere to the positional requirement of the free kick line is what disqualifies the player from being recognized as the kicker.