Punt ruling

Jaysef · #1 (**permalink**) Mon Oct 03, 2005, 10:52am

4th and 15 for A, A's scrimmage kick is a line drive that hits B lineman and ball deflects: (a) beyond the expanded neutral zone, where it is recovered by A. (b) behind the neutral zone, recovered by A. (c) Out of bounds

This occurred in a 5th/6th grade game, and the officials gave ball to A, 1st and 10.

NFHS cites a condition (not sure where, I don't have my book), where touching is ignored on a line drive punt.

Therefore, I have B's ball in all situations. Any thoughts?

Same ruling if A's lineman was the recipient of the fast ball to the helmet?

Jaysef

ChickenOfNC · #2 (**permalink**) Mon Oct 03, 2005, 11:02am

In the second situation, where the ball ends up behing the ENZ, it is K's ball. They also can advance the ball in this situation.

Jim S · #3 (**permalink**) Mon Oct 03, 2005, 11:05am

Unless the B "lineman" was beyond the EXPANDED neutral zone the touching should have been ignorged. You would be correct in your rulings if K was downed in b. before reaching the line to gain.

Jaysef · #4 (**permalink**) Mon Oct 03, 2005, 11:06am

NC,

I still think ball goes to B, since in none of the situations stated, did A reach the LTG.

J

ChickenOfNC · #5 (**permalink**) Mon Oct 03, 2005, 11:28am

I wasn't clear. In B, it's not automatically K's ball. He would in fact have to reach the line to gain.