Scrimmage Vs Free Kick

[kd0254]

To Clarify -

A punt from K that goes downfield (crosses the neutral zone) and is then muffed by R maybe recovered and not advanced???

A free kick may be recovered by K regardless of whether R touched it and R's touch bears no implication on K's ability to advance- K will not be able to advance in either casE??

Punt crosses the neutral zone and goes back behind in the air due to wind - ball can be recovered and advanced by K - New series is awarded regardless or??

Punt crosses the nuetral zone - bounces on the downfield side and then bounces back behind the neutral zone - does K's status regarding recovery/advance change just because the ball bounced on its own back behind the NZ.

Thanks!!

[ddn]

In regards to "Punt crosses the nuetral zone - bounces on the downfield side and then bounces back behind the neutral zone - does K's status regarding recovery/advance change just because the ball bounced on its own back behind the NZ."

My conclusion from the rulebook and case play is that K may advance that ball....


Rule
6.2.3 Any K player may catch or recover a scrimmage kick while it is in
or behind the neutral zone and advance, unless it is during a try.

Casebook (bolding mine)
6.2.3 SITUATION A: A scrimmage kick by K1 is partially blocked in the neutral
zone by R1. The kick goes beyond the neutral zone where R2 muffs it back behind the neutral zone. K2 recovers behind the neutral zone and advances across R’s goal line. RULING: Touchdown for K. COMMENT: The right of the kickers to advance their recovered scrimmage kick depends entirely upon whether the kick is recovered in, behind or beyond the neutral zone. Whether the kick went beyond the neutral zone and then rebounded behind it is of no consequence. The spot of recovery is the only factor. If the recovery is in or behind the neutral zone, K may advance. If the recovery is beyond the neutral zone, K may recover, but may not advance.

[Warrenkicker]

1. K may not ever advance a scrimmage kick recovered beyond the neutral zone. K may advance a fumble after a kick has ended. If R muffs the kick and then K recovers it is a first down for K.

2. A free kick may be recovered by K and kept as long as it did cross R's free kick line at some point prior to being touched by K or if R touched the ball anywhere. K may not advance a free kick.

3. A scrimmage kick may be advanced by K if recovered or caught in or behind the neutral zone. K must make the line-to-gain to retain possession.

4. See answer 3 except this question only asked about recovering the kick.

[Reffing Rev.]

Scrimmage Kick untouched: K only gets a new series if they are in possession beyond the line to gain. They can catch and recover a kick and advance as long as they gain possession behind the NZ. It does not matter if the ball ever crossed the NZ it matters where it is recovered.

4th and 10 at K's 20. The punt is blocked behind the NZ (Touching ignored) K recovers at the K18 and advances to the (a) K29 or (b) K31. Ruling 1st and 10 for R in (a) and for K in (b).

If R is the first to touch a scrimmage kick beyond the NZ then the team in possession at the end of the down will have a new series. K may advance if they recover behind the NZ, but if they recover beyond the NZ they will have a first down but cannot advance.

4th and 10 at K's 20. The punt is blocked behind the NZ (touching ignored) and then R touches the kick at the K25. K recovers at the (a) K18 or (b) K25 and advances to the 50 yard line. Ruling in both it will be a 1st and 10 for K, in (a) at the 50, and in (b) at the K25. In (b) the covering official should sound his whistle when K gains possession beyond the NZ as this causes the ball to become dead and K is advancing a dead ball.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by Warrenkicker

3. A scrimmage kick may be advanced by K if recovered or caught in or behind the neutral zone. K must make the line-to-gain to retain possession.

That's if it was 4th down. Any other down, the down just counts normally.