NFHS Football Rule 1-3 - Kicking Ball Clarification

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All balls being used in the game are to be checked prior to the start of the contest by the officials. Only those balls that have been checked are to be used in the game.Rule 1-3-2:

This rule states that each team may use any referee-approved ball of its choice for a free kick or to start a new series of downs.

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Free Kicks: This includes kickoffs and free kicks after a safety. The kicking team is permitted to use a different ball for these plays, provided it has been approved by the referee prior to the game.Starting a New Series of Downs: This means that at the beginning of a new offensive series, a team can bring in a new, approved ball.

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Punts, Field Goals, and Tries: Unlike kickoffs, the ball used for a punt, field goal, or try (point-after-touchdown) is typically the ball that was in play on the preceding down. This means a team cannot just bring in a "kicking ball" specifically for these plays. However, a team can manage the ball rotation so that the preferred ball is the one used on the down that leads to the kick.Key Takeaway:Yes, separate "kicking" balls are allowed for kickoffs and free kicks.

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This is explicitly permitted in the NFHS rulebook.

No, separate "kicking" balls are not explicitly allowed for punts, field goals, and tries. These plays use the ball that is already in the game. The distinction is that these are scrimmage kicks, while kickoffs are free kicks.This is weather and game specific as well.

On a wet and muddy night, different game balls are being shuttled in all of the time. However, majority of time the rule would stand that if the offense scores with a ball, they kick the PAT with that ball.