AN NFL PUNT RETURNER SIGNALS FOR A FAIR CATCH. THE BALL LANDS IN HIS ARMS, BUT BOUNCES UP OFF HIS CHEST IN THE AIR, JUST ABOVE AND IN FRONT OF HIM. IS THE BALL "FAIR GAME" TO ALL, AS SOON AS IT BOUNCES OFF HIS CHEST, OR MUST IT TOUCH THE GROUND FIRST! – John C.
The punt receiver must be given a clear opportunity to catch the punt. If it hits his hands or his body and pops up directly in front of him, the kicking team members must give him the opportunity to complete the catch. As a result they can not touch the ball (or the returner attempting to catch the ball) until the ball hits the ground or is caught by the returner. On the other hand, if it were to hit his shoulder pads and bounce 10 yards behind him and there was no other return team member in the area, a kicking team member could catch the ball before it hits the ground. In this event, the ball can not be advanced by the kicking team because it was a "muff" and not a "fumble."
College football. On 4th down, the offense lines up with clear intent to punt. During the kick, the defense blocks the punt. A fortunate (for offense) bounce sent the ball back into the punters hands, who took two steps and kicked again sending the punt down field. The punter was then tackled by the defense after kicking. Two questions: 1. Is the second kick legal? If so under what rule? 2. Is the kicker protected under rules regarding runnning into or roughing the kicker on the second kick? – Mark L.
This is a complex play and I would have to see the play in question to give you a definitive answer but here are the involved rules:
1. Rule 6-3-1 (a) states that: "A scrimmage kick that fails to cross the neutral zone continues in play. All players may catch or recover the ball behind the neutral zone and advance it."
2. A ball legally in possession of the offensive team may be advanced by running, passing or kicking it.
3. Rule 9-1-4 (a) - "When it is obvious that a scrimmage kick will be made, no defensive player may run into or rough the kicker. ... This protection ends when he carries the ball outside the tackle box before kicking."
So, if the kick in question was blocked behind the neutral zone and the ball never went beyond the neutral zone, it may be recovered by the offensive team and advanced by running with it, passing it, or kicking it a second time. If the kicker has clearly indicated that he will be kicking the ball i.e., typically this requires him to stop in an open area and make it clear that he will kick the ball), he can not be contacted by the defense until he has had a reasonable chance to regain his balance.On the other hand, if he attempts to kick the ball while on the run or has gone outside the tackle box, he is not afforded such protection. In addition, even if he is on the run and/or gone outside the tackle box, the Referee may call a personal foul if in his opinion the defense made a deliberate attempt to injure the kicker, hit him around the head, or made any other action intended to injure the player.
Submit your rules question to the Ref.
