Illegal Touching, Fumble on punt

[reff4e]

Under Fed rules, if R touches the ball and then commits a foul, they lose the right to take the ball at the first touching spot regardless of whether foul is accepted or declined. Don't know if the same applies in NCAA or not.

[TXMike]

Does not apply in NCAA unless the penalty is accepted.

[BoBo]

First Touching i believe would be the term we want to use instead of illegal touching

[TXMike]

That depends on which rulebook "we" are using. NCAA calls it illegal touching

[logjam]

NF its "first touching" which is a beanbag spot. R has the option of taking the ball at the spot of first touching or taking the result of the play. If R captain wants to stay in good graces with his coach, he will take the first option.

[Forksref]

First touching is not a foul. Just beanbag it and go on with the play.

[ljudge]

NCAA allows for a screwy situation on this rule...

Team A punts the ball from their own 45 and a team A member illegally touches the kick at B's 20. Team B recovers the ball at team B's 15 yard line and advances to his own 30 before he fumbles the ball which is recovered by team A who advances for a TD.

Situation #1: Team B fouls the runner by an inadvertent facemask.

Ruling: The foul is automatically declined (because of the TD) so therefore you revert to the spot of illegal touching.

Situation #2: Team B fouls the runner by with a personal foul version of a facemask.

Ruling: The score stands and illegal touching ignored.