grounded punt

[kdf5]

Originally Posted by ump33

If the grounded, untouched kick beyond the line of scrimmage rebounds behind the line of scrimmage, K may recover and advance. However, if it is 4th down K must make the line to gain to retain possession.

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.

If the kick is touched by R beyond the line of scrimmage, it will be 1st down for the team in possession when the down ends.

5-1-3f …. The team in possession at the end of the down, if R is the first to touch a scrimmage kick while it is beyond the expanded neutral zone, unless the penalty is accepted for a non post-scrimmage kick foul which occurred before the kick ended.

5-1-4 . . . Unless first touched by R beyond the neutral zone, if the kickers recover a scrimmage kick in or behind the neutral zone, the ball remains live and belongs to K and the down counts.

[Robert Goodman]

And whether it's grounded or not has no signficance. R has no specific right to a catch on K's side of the neutral zone.