In the case of a fumble, the ball is live and can be returned by the team that recovers the ball. In the case of a muffed punt,
it is possible for the punting team to recover the ball and continue the drive
, but at least in NCAA and NFL rules, they cannot advance the ball on that same play.
Can a punt be returned?
Return. A punt return is
one of the receiving team’s options to respond to a punt
. A player positioned about 35–45 yards from the line of scrimmage (usually a wide receiver or return specialist) will attempt to catch or pick up the ball after it is punted by the opposing team’s punter.
Does a muffed punt have to hit the ground?
The player who signaled for a
fair catch must have a reasonable opportunity to catch the muffed ball before it hits the ground without interference
by members of the kicking team, and regardless of whether the ball strikes another player or an official.
Can you catch and return your own punt?
Simply put, a punt is a scrimmage kick. Therefore,
any member of the punt team is allowed to catch or recover a punt as long as it is behind the neutral zone, basically the line of scrimmage, and then advance that ball
.
Why is it called a muffed punt?
A muff is different than a fumble
because a player must possess the ball in order to fumble it, one cannot fumble a loose ball
, which is why it is referred to as a muff.
Can you hit a punt returner before he catches the ball?
From the playing rules, player attempting
to catch a punt must be given the opportunity to do so
. A player on the kicking team who tackles, bumps or otherwise interferes with the returner before the ball is caught will be penalized.
Is a dropped punt a fumble?
There is a distinction between a muffed punt and a fumble.
The play only results in a fumble if the returning player possessed the ball prior to losing control of it
. In a muffed punt, the returning player is determined never to have possessed the ball.
What happens after a punt?
After
he touches it or loses control and the ball hits the ground
, either team is allowed to recover the ball. If the returner muffs a kick, or fails to gain possession, the punting team may not advance the ball if they recover it.
What happens if a punt goes into the endzone?
A kickoff or punt enters the end zone
and is downed by the receiving team without the ball being advanced beyond the goal line
. … If a kicked-off ball goes into the end zone and then is recovered by a member of the kicking team, it is a touchdown for the kicking team, when the ball is touched by the receivers.
Can you kick a blocked punt?
A: “When a kick, field goal attempt or punt is blocked and the ball stays behind the line of scrimmage,
if the offense recovers the ball, it can run, pass or kick
.” USA Football Rules Editor Bill LeMonnier is a former college football referee who currently serves as an ESPN NCAA rules analyst.
Can you kick a fumble?
No player may deliberately kick any loose ball or ball in player’s possession
. Penalty: For illegally kicking the ball: Loss of 10 yards. For enforcement, treat as a foul during a backwards pass or fumble.
Can the kicking team advance a kickoff?
First, when the kicking team recovers the kickoff, most often by an onside kick, the ball is dead as soon as they gain possession. … However,
if a returner has established possession and then loses it, it is a fumble and the kicking team can advance
.
How do you punt a turnover ball?
Punt a spiral is all about the drop and direction of the kick. To punt a spiral,
drop the football at the correct angle, and lock the knee and ankle pointed straight while swinging the leg upward
will give the football the rotation it needs to spin in a spiral.
What is an illegal fair catch?
An invalid fair catch signal is
when the player signaling for a fair catch does not fully extend his arm above his head
. If the players arm is flexed, an invalid fair catch penalty will be called and the ball will be marked down at the spot of the invalid fair catch and then assessed a five yard penalty.
Can a punter throw the ball?
Usually the punter will simply
take the snap
and look to throw a pass or run with the ball after the defenders have turned downfield to block for the punt return. In another variation, the ball may be snapped directly to an upback who then runs downfield or throws.
Is running after a fair catch a penalty?
If a member of the kicking team interferes with a fair catch attempt after the receiver gives a proper signal,
the kicking team is penalized 15 yards from the spot of the foul
, and a fair catch is awarded even if the ball is not caught.
