NFL Rules - Free Kick

[jransom]

Originally posted by Snake~eyes
The kick hasn't ended, any time a kick goes into R's EZ we have a TB.

Incorrect. Unlike NFHS, impetus ("force") can be considered on kicks entering R's endzone at this level. If the covering official determines that R provided new impetus to the ball, it is a safety. If the muff did not provide new impetus, it is a touchback. When in doubt, there was not new impetus.

Remember, this applies to a free kick. On a scrimmage kick punt the same would be true if R touched the ball. However, a new rule this year on scrimmage kicks is similar to the Fed. rule:
on a scrimmage kick that is untouched by the receiving team and crosses the receiving team's goal line from the impetus of the kick, the ball is dead as soon as it touches the ground or a member of the kicking team on or behind the receiving team's goal line.

Hope that clears things up
Jonathan