Theory behind the muffed punt...?

[EricSeattle]

Hey guys

Some friends and I were wondering what the philosophy is behind the fact that you cannot advance a muffed punt...? Why is it that you're allowed to take possession but not advance?

Thanks,
Eric

[chiefgil]

You have to understand the difference between a muff and a fumble. A player must have possession before he can fumble. Possession is precluded by touching, and by touching the ball without gaining possession it is a muff.

A kick is a kick, is a kick, is a kick, until R gains possession. Once possession is gained, then, at that instant, the kick play is over. Now it is a running play.

If R muffs the kick, they never had possession to begin with. If R catches the kick, and then fumbles, anyone can gain possession and advance.


NFHS rule specifically state that K can advance a ball from in or behiond the NZ, because the ball still belongs to them. Once the ball crosses the NZ the ball belongs to R.

[Snake~eyes]

cheifgil, I think he understands the rule. I believe he wants an explanation as to why we have that rule, the philosophy behind it. A question for which I don't have an answer.

[EricSeattle]

I'm trying to understand why the kicking team can gain possession yet not advance it. It would seem like the two options would be 1) possess/advance or 2) no possession at all.

Why did they create a rule to stop advancement by a team with possession of the ball?

Thanks,
Eric

[JamesBond]

Originally posted by EricSeattle
I'm trying to understand why the kicking team can gain possession yet not advance it. It would seem like the two options would be 1) possess/advance or 2) no possession at all.

Why did they create a rule to stop advancement by a team with possession of the ball?

Thanks,
Eric

Because at the high school level, unsafe things happen on kicks and adding the ability to advance by the kicking team just adds to the confusion and potential for injuries. (That is just my hypothesis.)

[PSU213]

Originally posted by JamesBond
Because at the high school level, unsafe things happen on kicks and adding the ability to advance by the kicking team just adds to the confusion and potential for injuries. (That is just my hypothesis.)

If I am not mistaken, it is a rule at the other major levels (NCAA, NFL) that K cannot advance a muffed punt downfield (although your hypothesis does hold some water).

[JamesBond]

double post, sorry.

[Edited by JamesBond on Oct 18th, 2004 at 09:22 AM]

[jjrye22]

I would really like to read a book of the development of the game and it's rules...
I was thinking maybe this rule about not being allowed to advance a muffed punt could come from rugby, and there is something similar.

I was checking the web, and if I understood the 'Law' correctly, when a player tries to catch a kick, and muffs it forward, the play is stopped and a scrum is awarded (no one gains an advantage)

Now that is just from my very limited knowledge and 5 minutes of research on the web. Maybe someone here is a rugby ref and can correct me...

James

[Ed Hickland]

Originally posted by JamesBond

That rule applies at all levels up to the NFL, you can advance a fumble but you cannot advance a muff.

My thought is because possession does not change -- the kicking team retains possession, that is, ignoring PSK exception -- and a recovery is an advance by the kicking team ending the down.