Argument with Friend Regarding NFL Rule

[wacky22]

have a bet with a friend.

if a ball is punted, and it is in the air and yet to touch the ground beyond the goaline, can a player, as long as he does not touch the goaline or beyond that, bat the ball out and keep it alive.

Basically if a ball bounces on the 5 yrd line and is in the air and crosses over the goaline can a player from the kicking team jump (as long as he leaves the ground before touching the goaline) and while in mid air try and swat the ball back outside of the goaline so a teammate can down it.

Not only do i need an answer to this , but i need some written documentation. Any sort of link or anything like that, that states that a player may in fact swat the ball out of the endzone would be great!!!
Thanks

[WhistlesAndStripes]

Just give your buddy the cash.

[wacky22]

HUH??

I think the player can swat the ball out, and as far as i know i am %100 right on this, i just need the documentation to prove it

But thanks!

[Snake~eyes]

NFL is the feet, NCAA/NFHS are the ball. So if his feet are in the field of play and he bats it out, no touchback. Where in NCAA/NFHS this would be a TB.

[wacky22]

need some sort of link or documentation of this


Can ANYONE help

[WhistlesAndStripes]

Just give him the cash.

[alabamabluezebra]

Try this link:

http://www.nfl.com/fans/rules/kicksfromscrimmage

I believe number 7.

[Snake~eyes]

I don't have an NFL rulebook, I know some people on this board do, so just be patient and one of them should come along and help out.

[l3will]

Originally posted by wacky22
HUH??

I think the player can swat the ball out, and as far as i know i am %100 right on this, i just need the documentation to prove it

But thanks!

What rulebook do you want the documentation.

As far as I know for the NFL, you are right.

For NCAA and NFHS rules (college and high school), you are wrong. So you owe your friend two thirds of $5.00.

NFHS rules... Rule 8 Section 5 Article 3... It is a tochback when: Any free kick or scrimmage kick:
1. Which is not a scoring attempt or which is a grounded three point field-goal attempt, breaks the plane of R's goal line unless R chooses a spot of first touching by K.

Also by Rule 4 Section 2 Article 2 .. The ball becomes dead and the down is ended:
1. Which is not a scoring attempt or which is a grounded three point field-goal attempt, breaks the plane of R's goal line

NCAA rules...
Loose Behind the Goal Line
ARTICLE 11. If a Team A player bats a scrimmage kick in Team B’s end zone that was untouched by Team B after the kick crossed the neutral zone, it is a violation. Team B may elect a touchback when the ball is declared dead (A.R. 6-3-11-I). VIOLATION—Touchback [S16 and S7] (Exception:
Rule 8-4-2-b) (A.R. 2-11-1-I).

[Patton]

Originally posted by l3will
What rulebook do you want the documentation.

I3will, read the title of the thread. He's looking for the NFL rule.

[l3will]

Just being thorough and note the smiley....

I said I thought he was correct about the NFL rule, but
I don't have access to a NFL rule book.

Perhaps he could find an old "You make the call" for his documentation.