Illegal Touching -- Punts

Johnny Cakes

Is it correct that every time the punting team "downs" a punt, it is technically an illegal touching, with the remedy being that the receiving team is awarded possession at the spot of the touching?

Second question: Suppose a punt is rolling, the punting team touches it, but it keeps on rolling and then the receiving team picks up the ball and runs for a touchdown. Is it downed where the punting team touched it or is the touchdown valid.

For both questions, assume that all touching occurs beyond the line of scrimmage.

Thanks.

RadioBlue

Johnny Cakes wrote
Is it correct that every time the punting team "downs" a punt, it is technically an illegal touching, with the remedy being that the receiving team is awarded possession at the spot of the touching?

Second question: Suppose a punt is rolling, the punting team touches it, but it keeps on rolling and then the receiving team picks up the ball and runs for a touchdown. Is it downed where the punting team touched it or is the touchdown valid.

For both questions, assume that all touching occurs beyond the line of scrimmage.

Thanks.

I believe you're basically correct other than the fact that you have first touching instead of illegal touching.

If K touches the punt, it basically becomes a free shot for R because if they should happen to lose the football on a turnover during the return, one of the options available to them would be to take the ball at the spot of first touching. However, if R were to foul during the return, they lose the right to take the ball at the spot of first touching.

Anything I'm missing, guys?

whitehat

I think you meant if "R" fouls during the return...😃

RadioBlue

whitehat wrote
I think you meant if "R" fouls during the return...😃

I did, indeed. Nice catch. 😉

ppaltice

RadioBlue wrote
I believe you're basically correct other than the fact that you have first touching instead of illegal touching.

Anything I'm missing, guys?

We should ask if Johnny Cakes is using NCAA (illegal touching) or NFHS (first touching).

BAlaxer

When I coached I always told my players to pick up the punt and hand it to the offical when the downed it. This way a R player can not come along and pick up the ball after first touching. Even if the ball is not rolling anymore it only becomes truly dead when the ball is not moving and not player is making an attempt to gain possesion

Welpe

BAlaxer wrote
When I coached I always told my players to pick up the punt and hand it to the offical when the downed it. This way a R player can not come along and pick up the ball after first touching. Even if the ball is not rolling anymore it only becomes truly dead when the ball is not moving and not player is making an attempt to gain possesion

That is not entirely true. The ball is dead if the kicking team is first to touch a scrimmage kick at rest beyond the neutral zone.

4-2-2 The ball is dead and the down is ended:

f. When the kickers catch or recover any free kick anywhere, and when the
kickers catch or recover a scrimmage kick beyond the neutral zone and
when the kickers are first (i.e., before any touching by the receivers) to
touch a scrimmage kick after it has come to rest beyond the neutral zone
and between the goal lines.

BAlaxer

Okay I see your point but:

ART. 2 . . . The ball becomes dead and the down is ended:

e. When any loose ball:
1. Is simultaneously caught or recovered by opposing players.
2. Is on the ground motionless and no player attempts to secure possession.

if they just touch it and do not secure posession then it is still a loose ball

interesting topic

Welpe

Section e does not negate section f, they complement each other.

Section e applies to all loose balls, section f applies ONLY to free kicks and scrimmage kicks.

Think of it this way:

Any loose ball (pass, fumble, kick, etc) - apply section e criteria

A scrimmage or free kick (which is a type of loose ball) - apply section e criteria AND section f criteria.

BAlaxer

Gotchya