Spot after a touchback

[john_faz]

After a touchback has occurred, do you always spot the ball in the middle of the field on the 20-yd line? Or do you give the team the choice?

Or does the previous play have any effect on where to spot the ball? For example, if the defense recovered a fumble in their endzone that was close to the sideline, then placing it on the hash might be appropriate.

Any thoughts?

[Welpe]

What do the rules say?

Hint: Rule 4

[With_Two_Flakes]

...and for NCAA the hint is Rule 8

[bossman72]

They have a choice, but I always spot it in the middle unless they tell me otherwise.

[refbuz]

After a game, I had an observer mention to me, that I didn't give the coach a choice of where to put the ball in play.

How do you handle asking the coach during the game where he would like the ball spotted after a touchback? The most logical thing seems to me would have the wing working that sideline ask the coach.

Does anyone do anything different?

[jjrye22]

The coach has the choice in that the kicker can tell you when he comes up to set the ball.
Why on earth would you have to communicate with the coach when he is sending out a special representative to do this task (a kicker)? Did this observer generally have helpful comments, or mostly stuff like this (or is this helpful to some of you?)?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by refbuz

How do you handle asking the coach during the game where he would like the ball spotted after a touchback?

Don't ask. They're not expecting it, you're not required to do it, and if they have a preference they'll bring it to you.