Muffed Punt-Line to Gain

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by isuphloyd

Sorry for the lack of details. LOS was Kicking team's 35. All action took place on the kicking team's side of the field. Thanks for the answers! The officials got it right. The coaches in the box and the radio guys got it wrong lol.

The muff was close to the expanded neutral zone, so I wouldn't blame anybody for getting possession wrong. However, it'd be a new series for whichever team is awarded it, line-to-gain notwithstanding.

[Altor]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

The muff was close to the expanded neutral zone, so I wouldn't blame anybody for getting possession wrong. However, it'd be a new series for whichever team is awarded it, line-to-gain notwithstanding.

So, I was thinking this at first too...but then I dug into the rulebook to double check myself and I don't believe the expanded neutral zone applies in this situation.

Rule 6-2-6 refers to the touching of a LOW scrimmage kick in or behind the expanded neutral zone and says to ignore it. When I read this, I'm thinking of a blocked or partially blocked kick that does not clear the lineman. I don't believe this is intended to include a high punt that comes down in the expanded part of the expanded neutral zone.

Rule 6-2-4 allows K to recover a kick that has been touched beyond the neutral zone (not expanded neutral zone) by R.

Am I incorrect here?

edit: just read case book 6.2.6. I believe the wording of this supports me as well.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by Altor

So, I was thinking this at first too...but then I dug into the rulebook to double check myself and I don't believe the expanded neutral zone applies in this situation.

Rule 6-2-6 refers to the touching of a LOW scrimmage kick in or behind the expanded neutral zone and says to ignore it. When I read this, I'm thinking of a blocked or partially blocked kick that does not clear the lineman. I don't believe this is intended to include a high punt that comes down in the expanded part of the expanded neutral zone.

Rule 6-2-4 allows K to recover a kick that has been touched beyond the neutral zone (not expanded neutral zone) by R.

Am I incorrect here?

edit: just read case book 6.2.6. I believe the wording of this supports me as well.

If it was that type of kick, you're right. Officials have to see where the ball was touched, then locate that relative to the down stick. Theoretically the R player on a ball in the air has a chance to camp under it, get a look at the down stick, and then decide whether to play the ball. The "expanded neutral zone" provisions are intended mostly to save a player of R who might not be able to get out of the way of a ground ball or is trying to block a line drive.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Altor

Rule 6-2-4 allows K to recover a kick that has been touched beyond the neutral zone (not expanded neutral zone) by R.

Am I incorrect here?

edit: just read case book 6.2.6. I believe the wording of this supports me as well.

I might be missing your point here, but all that was said was that if the ball is touched within the expanded neutral zone, you ignore the touch and act like nothing else happened like a first touch or a muff by R. And it mostly deals with a low kick here because a high kick might have other issues if R is in position to catch the ball. I do not think anyone said there were more to it than that based on the original post.

Peace