[bossman72]

Originally Posted by john_faz

I am unclear about what to call in the following situation:

A Wide Receiver steps on the sideline and then returns in bounds and is the first to touch a pass in flight. Is this Illegal Participation or Illegal Touching? Also, would the ruling change if the Wide Receiver was bloacked out of bounds by the defense.

Thanks for your help.

The foul is in returning, not being the first to touch the ball.

So, if A88 accidentally steps on the line, then goes up for a pass, and B49 bats the pass away and A88 never touched it - it's still a foul.