NFHS punt to pass question
 

Team A in punt formation. Ball is snapped high and the punter tips it up and catches it. He scrambles right and passes it to another player. Being it was to be a punt, virtually everyone is downfield. Is this not ineligible downfield, or not?

Thanks.

Ineligible players going dowfield beyond the expanded neutral zone only becomes a problem if the legal forward pass crosses the neutral zone in flight, so it really all depends on who he throws the ball to, and whether that person in beyond the neutral zone.

Did the pass cross the neutral zone?

If so, any player ineligible by number, position or by virtue of the numbering exception cannot be beyond the neutral zone.

If the ball does not cross the neutral zone, then no foul.

The planned punt and the number of ineligible players downfield is irrelevant. The answer is exactly the same as any other forward pass play (and it's already been posted).

I'll have to go back and watch the tape. I'm not sure if the pass crossed the neutral zone or not. Thanks for the education.