Which of the following is NOT one of the types of scrimmage kicks?

The correct answer indicates that a free kick is not categorized as one of the types of scrimmage kicks. In football, scrimmage kicks typically occur during a play that starts after the ball is snapped from the line of scrimmage. The primary types of scrimmage kicks include a punt, drop kick, and place kick.

A punt occurs when the ball is kicked by a player before it touches the ground; this is primarily used for gaining field position on fourth downs. A drop kick is a less common play where the ball is dropped and kicked as it ascends; historically, this was more prevalent but is rarely seen in modern play due to its complexity. A place kick involves placing the ball on the ground or a tee before kicking it, frequently seen during attempts at field goals or extra points.

In contrast, a free kick occurs under different conditions, such as following a safety, a kickoff at the start of a half, or after certain penalties. Free kicks are not executed from a scrimmage situation but rather as designated kick attempts that don’t typically involve the same strategic elements as scrimmage kicks. Therefore, it is clear why a free kick does not fall under the category of scrimmage kicks.