This is from a game a while back. In it, the team in white punts from their 6 yd line. The punter muffs the snap and gets the kick off. The kick only goes to the 2 yd line where the receiving team (purple) touches it. The kicking team recovers the ball on the 7 yd line and was allowed to return it.

Should the play have been blown dead when the kicking team touched it beyond the LOS?

If you want to see a video clip, here is a link:

http://football.boxelderbees.net/mistake4.wmv

The kicking team touching the kick doesn't make it dead. Possessing the kick makes the ball dead in a punt that is beyond the line of scrimmage. Keep in mind a scrimmage kick that doesn't cross the line is a live ball and can be advanced by either team. This play the ball is very close to the line when the kicking team picks it up. If they ruled that the ball didn't cross the line then the advance was legal.

From what I could tell, K recovered the blocked punt behind the NZ and were able to advance the ball forward. If they acheived the line to gain, first down for the white tops.

that is why it is very important that the HL stays at home to make sure the punt goes across the NZ.

[Edited by irefky on Oct 3rd, 2005 at 04:54 PM]

Agreed, this one is very close, looks like it might have crossed but again I could see it go either way.