What are the NFL rules for punting?
If the receiving team drops the ball or touches the ball beyond the line of scrimmage without catching it then it is considered a live ball and may be recovered by either team. If the receiving team never had full possession, it is considered to be a muffed punt rather than a fumble.
What happens if the punting team touches the ball?
Touching by the kicking team after the ball has been touched by the receiving team is legal. This is why you see everybody scramble for the ball and the officials continue to officiate as if the illegal touching had not occurred…even going as far as signalling possession for the kicking team if they recover the ball.
What happens if a punt does not cross the line of scrimmage?
A punt that has not crossed the line of scrimmage is a live ball for either team to recover. This applies equally to blocked punts and the very, very short variety that Landeta and few others have accomplished. The Giants would be able to recover the ball and run for the first down.
What happens if a punt goes out of bounds?
If the punt goes out of bounds, the ball will be placed where it went out. If the ball goes out the back of the defense’s end zone, it is a touchback.
Do you have to field a punt?
Basically, the receiving team is not “liable” for anything that happens to the ball until one of their players touch it. A receiver may elect to catch a punt and run with it, but he also has the right to “let it go” if he judges that it is “too hot to handle.”
How do they determine where a punt goes out of bounds?
Basically, it’s geometry. The referee goes to or near the spot where the ball was punted and watches its flight, drawing an imaginary plumb line between that point and where the ball intersects the sideline.
Can a team punt instead of kicking off?
A safety kick puts the ball in play after a safety. A dropkick, placekick, or punt may be used for a safety kick. A tee cannot be used for a safety kick.
Do you have to return a punt?
What is the penalty for punting football out of bounds?
The penalty for kicking the ball out of bounds on a kickoff is either a rekick from 5 yards back, the receiving team starting their drive where the ball went out of bounds, or the receiving team starting their drive at the 35-yard line.
Can you punt the ball beyond the line of scrimmage?
Article 1 Team A may attempt a punt, drop kick, or placekick from behind the line of scrimmage. Penalty: For a punt, drop kick, or placekick that is kicked from beyond the line of scrimmage or not from scrimmage: Loss of 10 yards from the spot of the kick. Note 1: This is not considered illegally kicking the ball.
How do refs know where a punt went out of bounds?
Can you punt the ball twice in the NFL?
According to NFL Rule 9, a second punt is legal so long as the ball does not cross the line of scrimmage. Had the ball crossed the line and Dickson punted again, the second kick would have resulted in a 10-yard penalty.
Can you punt instead of kicking off?
What happens if a punt lands in the end zone?
A kickoff or punt touches the ground in the receiving team’s end zone before being touched by a player of the receiving team. 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 the offense catch a 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.
Is punting out of bounds a penalty?
Kicking the ball out of bounds on a kickoff is considered a penalty in football because the receiving team needs a fair chance to return the kickoff, call for a fair catch, or get a touchback.
Can you punt a ball twice NFL?