They have to give a 10 yard cushion and the kicker has no pressure to:

- make sure the hold is good
- get the kick off in time
- get the kick up and over the outstretched arms of rushing defenders


And as I learned last night, a team that fair catches a punt can call for a free kick even if time has already expired in the half. The clock can read 0:00 before the punt is even caught and they can still call for a free kick. Can't line up for a FG attempt as you need time on the clock to do that.