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Sit 1 & 2: Both FED and NCAA seem to allow a player to always recover a fumble no matter what action preceded the fumble. While it may seem consistent it also seems to be at odds with other rules.
Those who say Travelling is the correct rule apply FED 4-43-3b. Why isn't Fumble listed here to negate the travelling in addition to passing or a try? Rule 4-15-4 Note 2 says there is no player control during a fumble. If so, why is it not included in FED 4-12-6.
The appropriate rules in question are as follows:
FED Rules: 4-15 Dribble, 4-21 Fumble, 9-5-3 Illegal Dribble
Fed case: 4.15.4 Situation D.
NCAA rules: 4-18 Dribble, 4-29 Fumble and AR 14, 9-7-1c.
In both codes the rules are similar with the exception that NCAA has rules support for a player who fumbles to recover the ball (4-29-2). FED makes no such statement in the rules but is mentioned only in the Case book play (4.15.4 Sit D). The case cites (9-5) to allow recovery but it is not mentioned in that rule either.
I am OK with the ruling of 9-5-3 that would not allow a player who loses control of the ball via fumble cannot dribble a second time unless ball touches another player, but how does that infer they may recover?
Let's not confuse fumbles with interrupted dribbles. An interrupted dribble can only occur while a dribble is in process. A fumble can only occur BEFORE a dribble has started or AFTER the dribble has ended. Think about it.
Therefore, if a player who has not dribbled fumbles the ball he may secure player control by starting a dribble or just by recovering the loose ball. If he recovers, since he has never dribbled he may then start a dribble.
If a player who is dribbling loses the ball meeting definition of interrupted dribble then he may continue to dribble or just recover.
If a player who is dribbling tries to stop and hold ball but in his ATTEMPT to secure possession it bounces away after he hit it with both hands then he may only go and recover. That ruling I believe is supported by NCAA AR 14 and FED 4.15.4.Sit D (d). Note: (c) is not a fumble but an interrupted dribble yet the last sentence seems to infer that it is a fumble like in (d) to allow the recovery. In (c) the recovery ends the dribble. In (d) the dribble ended when player touched with both hands.
What is not covered by FED Case play or NCAA AR's are those situations in which a dribble has ended and the player is securely holding the ball, then Fumbles. It is then I believe no matter how he loses possession of the ball he vioates the dribble rule unless another player touches the ball first (FED 9-5-3 and NCAA 9-7-1). My rationale is that if those rules allow him to be the first to touch/recover recover his fumble without dribbling again using the same logic he may also recover his pass. The only prohibition in both cases is dribbling again. Think about it. how many of us are going to allow someong to recover his own pass?
It is late and I could write more on this but the book is already too long.
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