Sevens players were in the habit of placing boot on the ground , and bending down and dropping ball from a height of about 5cm onto their toe, and then haring off.
Clarification stopped that
But by dropping, the ball has left your hand and can be regathered, of the 3 videos I would suggest in the second and third the ball was not dropped, the first one might be marginal and could be reasonably argued as being compliant with:
KICK- Definition. Law Book Page 6 A kick is made by hitting the ball with any part of the leg or foot except the heel, from the toe to the knee but not including the knee .a kick must move the ball a visible distance out of the hand or along the ground.
If it has been dropped from hand then it cannot be in hand.
Any movement after the kick and before the ball is regathered might be the issue as visible distance can be subjective and especially so if the quick tap is not taken where you can see it. A couple today were clearly taken in front of the mark and blindsiding the ref. But were not called back.
Dropping the ball onto the foot does not constitute a correctly taken Penalty or free kick and Law 21.4 (d) must be complied with:
21.4 (d)
A clear kick. The kicker must kick the ball a visible distance. If the kicker is holding it, it must clearly leave the hands. If it is on the ground, it must clearly leave the mark
Sanction: Unless otherwise stated in Law any infringement by the kicker’s team results in a scrum at the mark. The opposing team throw in the ball.
What about when the 3rd team prop comes along and back heels it