Fed test question:

[tjones1]

Originally Posted by Ref1973

Reviewing the rule 8-5-2b makes we want to say safety, however the fundamental statement (Page 80, Section II, No. 3) makes me want to go touchback for K. They seem contradictory.

Well... one of your two options is correct.

Read 8.5.1 Situation C

[Ref1973]

Originally Posted by tjones1

Well... one of your two options is correct.

Read 8.5.1 Situation C

Yeah I get that. But haven't we just made a fundamental statement not so fundamental?

[tjones1]

Originally Posted by Ref1973

Yeah I get that. But haven't we just made a fundamental statement not so fundamental?

Which one?

[ChickenOfNC]

Originally Posted by tjones1

Which one?

Page 80 in the rule book. Section II, No. 3

[ChickenOfNC]

Originally Posted by ChickenOfNC

Page 80 in the rule book. Section II, No. 3

To elaborate:

Was R first to touch a scrimmage kick beyond the neutral zone? Check
Was a new series awarded to the team in possession at the end of the down? Oops

[whitehat]

Here's my take on it...
By all my instincts I would say touchback. However, a key element here is that unless a scrimmage kick has been grounded a "muff" does not add a new force. (2.13.3 pg 28.) Therefore, in this situation, regardless if the kick was first touched by R (muffed in the OP) beyond the NZ no new force is added and therefore it would be a safety.

Example 9-44 2012 Redding study guide page 126

"Punter K10 is standing in his own end zone when he kicks the ball. it crosses the nuetral zone, strikes either R45 or K63 in flight in the helmet and rebounds into the end zone. Ruling. Safety in either case. It doesn't matter which player touched the ball. the initial force is from the punt, and a new force cannot be applied while the ball is in flight."

And then we ask, what if the same kick is recovered by K on their one yard line instead of the EZ? I am thinking since we don't have a ball going into the EZ force is not a factor and then it would be 1/10 for K from their one since R was first to touch punt beyond NZ.

[ChickenOfNC]

I agree with all of that whitehat, but have we not still violated a football fundamental? I dont believe it belongs as a fundamental if there are exceptions to its rule