From: rsmith@seq.uncwil.edu (Ross Smith)
Subject: Re: Rules Question??
Organization: Univ. of North Carolina @ Wilmington
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 21:05:46 GMT

kevin@fastlane.West.Sun.COM (Kevin Janssen SUN Phoenix CSD 602-275-5537 x36) writes:

Okay... NFL Rules Course (short version)

Kicks from Scrimmage
...
4. Any punt that is blocked and does NOT cross the line of scrimmage can
be recovered and advanced by EITHER team. However, if the offensive team
recovers, it must make the yardage necessary for its first down to retain
possesion if the punt was on a fourth down.

>Rules Question regarding blocked punts and muffed punt receptions.  When
>a punt is blocked and the punting team recovers the ball the ball belongs
>to the receiving team Why?  I don't have a rules book, but it seems that 
>blocking a punt is trying to catch the ball on the way up and would be 
>considered a muff if not done succesfully!! 

Scenario 1: the blocked punt stays behind line of scrimmage. The punting
team would have to advance the ball enough for a first down to retain 
possesion, otherwise it is just like turning it over on downs...

Scenario 2: the 'partially' blocked punt goes past the line of scrimmage.
This is treated just as if nothing ever happened. The fact that the ball
crossed the line of scrimmage (either in the air or rolling) negates the
fact that a member of the receiving team touched it. If AFTER the ball 
crosses the line of scrimmage, the receiving team touches the ball, the
punting team can recover at the spot of the muff.

>I can see that the ball goes to the receiving team only because no 
>change in possesion and the ball goes over on downs.  What if the 
>punt was on third down, who gets the ball?

if the punting team recovers, its thier ball, fourth down (assuming not
enough yardage for a first down was made on an advancement.

>What if the blocked punt goes past the first down marker and is recovered
>by the punting team, who gets the ball?

It went past the line of scrimmage, so its a dead-ball for the receiving
team where the punting team player touches it. (ie Scenario 2)

>In the same light, if the receiving team muffs a punt, but the ball is 
>not punted past the first down marker and is recovered by the punting
>team who gets the ball?

As long as the punt went past the line of scrimmage (ie where it was
snapped from), a muffed punt can be recovered by the punting team, first
and ten at the SPOT OF THE MUFF.

>Logic would say that there was no possesion change and the ball goes to
>the receiving team on downs.

No, Logic would say that there IS a possesion change because the definition
of a punt was met. The ball went past the line of scrimmage, so any touch
(muff or fumble) will result in first and ten at the spot of the muff for
whoever recovers the ball, punting team or receiving team.

All clear?

-- 
______________________________________________________________________________
|rsmith@seq.uncwil.edu           Ross Smith              smith@oscar.udel.edu|
|    "I really hate that dog...." - Dr. Chase Matthews, Pet Semetary 2       |
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