How does the "no yards" (restraining zone) rule work on kicks?

The rule book calls this the restraining zone foul (Rule 5, Section 4, Article 1). Officials signal it with signal 37, "No yards" (arms folded at shoulder height). It applies to a kick from scrimmage that crosses the line of scrimmage, a return kick or an open-field kick, when a player is offside in relation to the kicker. It does not apply to a dribbled ball or to a kick that does not cross the line of scrimmage. The benefit of any doubt goes to the receiver.

Such a player:

• shall not touch, or be touched by, the ball; and
• shall allow 5 yards to an opponent attempting to gain possession. The zone is a circle with a 5-yard radius centred on the ball at the instant it is first touched.

Interfering with a receiver attempting to gain possession, with or without contact, is also a foul. The kicker or an onside player may be the first to legally enter the zone to recover the ball, but may not contact the receiver except in a legitimate attempt to recover it.

Penalty in the field of play: L15 (loss of 15 yards) from the point the ball was touched, or L5 from the point the ball was dead (PBD); if the ball strikes the ground before being touched by the receiving team, L5. The rule book adds that, for levels lower than college or junior, league executives may reduce the 15-yard penalty to 10 yards, and field officials should be told in writing.

Source: Canadian Amateur Rule Book for Tackle Football 2026-2027, Rule 5 Section 4 and Officials' Signals.