Recovering of a Scrimmage
 

Had a scrimmage kick that went straight up and caught behind the line by the kicking team. Never crossed the neutral zone. Question: Can he run the ball OR, does the receiving team have to had muffed it? Is it considered first touching or what? Case book only gives example of receiving team muffing the ball beyond neutral zone and back behind the LOS. My understanding is that either team can recovering a punt behind the neutral zone and return it. Guess the real question is for K to return it, it must first be touched by the receiving (or muffed) team?

In FED, the only criterion is where possession was gained. Behind the NZ, either team can advance. Beyond the NZ, only R can advance.

First touching only applies to K beyond the NZ.

Read Rule 6-2-3.

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So R does not have to muff or touch it correct for K to return it?

So heres what I think should have happen. Ball was caught behind the LOS. Official blew the play dead and said it was first touching. I think we should have a AW. Two options, R would take the ball (results of the play since it was 4th down) if K takes result of the play. Or replay the down. What U guys think?

I believe this is an IW on loose ball play, no option, replay down.

Sorrydog said the ball was caught and then the whistle was blown. K had possession, therefore the kick had ended, so K has options.

Since K had possession when the IW was blown, they have the option to:

(1) Take the ball at the spot and count the down, or
(2) Replay the down.

Loose ball ending when K gained possession. K has options.

Be careful when saying "loose ball" when it comes to IW's. A fumbled loose ball is handled much differently than an IW blown during a legal pass, kick, or snap.

We had this play this weekend. Game was played with strong winds, and K's kick blows back and rolls 2 yds behind NZ near the HL side zone. K28 picked up the ball to down it, as both teams were moving towards their sideline, but he just held it out towards my HL, who gave him a good 5-6 seconds before he whistled the play down. Would have been an easy first down, and possibly TD, if someone could have urged him to run.

Oooo, that's one of those situations that's asked about every once in a while here related to any of several types of ball game, where neither side realizes the ball is in play.