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Why does the game stop after the kicking team catches a punt?
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I am a occasional football watcher from Europe, so please excuse my stupid question.
My question is the following: The standard outcome of a punt is a catch by the defending team and some running before he goes down or out of bounds. Sometimes, however, a member of the punting team happens to catch the punt, in which case the defending team gets possession where the catch happened. I don't really understand why the play does not continue in this case. What does such a catch distinguish to a 'normal catch'? I have the following thoughts:
- Kicking forward is generally allowed and could theoretically be done in 'normal play'. [EDIT: This assumption turned out to be wrong.]
- Sometimes, kick-offs are done in a manner to maintain possession (I guess this is called on-side kick?). If it's allowed in this case to catch the ball, why not after a punt?
- Kicking the ball wide forward (and usually giving up possession) is often seen in Rugby as a means to open up the game. If a member of the kicking team gains possession, the game just goes on.
Based on my understanding, I'd hence assume the kicking team would at least be granted a new first down. I don't see a reason why the possession would change in this case.
rules american-football
asked 2 hours ago
E. Sommer
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up vote
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down vote
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I am a occasional football watcher from Europe, so please excuse my stupid question.
My question is the following: The standard outcome of a punt is a catch by the defending team and some running before he goes down or out of bounds. Sometimes, however, a member of the punting team happens to catch the punt, in which case the defending team gets possession where the catch happened. I don't really understand why the play does not continue in this case. What does such a catch distinguish to a 'normal catch'? I have the following thoughts:
- Kicking forward is generally allowed and could theoretically be done in 'normal play'. [EDIT: This assumption turned out to be wrong.]
- Sometimes, kick-offs are done in a manner to maintain possession (I guess this is called on-side kick?). If it's allowed in this case to catch the ball, why not after a punt?
- Kicking the ball wide forward (and usually giving up possession) is often seen in Rugby as a means to open up the game. If a member of the kicking team gains possession, the game just goes on.
Based on my understanding, I'd hence assume the kicking team would at least be granted a new first down. I don't see a reason why the possession would change in this case.
rules american-football
asked 2 hours ago
E. Sommer
134
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E. Sommer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
I am a occasional football watcher from Europe, so please excuse my stupid question.
My question is the following: The standard outcome of a punt is a catch by the defending team and some running before he goes down or out of bounds. Sometimes, however, a member of the punting team happens to catch the punt, in which case the defending team gets possession where the catch happened. I don't really understand why the play does not continue in this case. What does such a catch distinguish to a 'normal catch'? I have the following thoughts:
- Kicking forward is generally allowed and could theoretically be done in 'normal play'. [EDIT: This assumption turned out to be wrong.]
- Sometimes, kick-offs are done in a manner to maintain possession (I guess this is called on-side kick?). If it's allowed in this case to catch the ball, why not after a punt?
- Kicking the ball wide forward (and usually giving up possession) is often seen in Rugby as a means to open up the game. If a member of the kicking team gains possession, the game just goes on.
Based on my understanding, I'd hence assume the kicking team would at least be granted a new first down. I don't see a reason why the possession would change in this case.
rules american-football
asked 2 hours ago
E. Sommer
134
New contributor
E. Sommer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I am a occasional football watcher from Europe, so please excuse my stupid question.
My question is the following: The standard outcome of a punt is a catch by the defending team and some running before he goes down or out of bounds. Sometimes, however, a member of the punting team happens to catch the punt, in which case the defending team gets possession where the catch happened. I don't really understand why the play does not continue in this case. What does such a catch distinguish to a 'normal catch'? I have the following thoughts:
- Kicking forward is generally allowed and could theoretically be done in 'normal play'. [EDIT: This assumption turned out to be wrong.]
- Sometimes, kick-offs are done in a manner to maintain possession (I guess this is called on-side kick?). If it's allowed in this case to catch the ball, why not after a punt?
- Kicking the ball wide forward (and usually giving up possession) is often seen in Rugby as a means to open up the game. If a member of the kicking team gains possession, the game just goes on.
Based on my understanding, I'd hence assume the kicking team would at least be granted a new first down. I don't see a reason why the possession would change in this case.
rules american-football
rules american-football
asked 2 hours ago
E. Sommer
134
New contributor
E. Sommer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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asked 2 hours ago
E. Sommer
134
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edited 13 mins ago
asked 2 hours ago
E. Sommer
134
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E. Sommer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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asked 2 hours ago
E. Sommer
134
asked 2 hours ago
E. Sommer
134
134
New contributor
E. Sommer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
E. Sommer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
E. Sommer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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2 Answers
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This is covered in Rule 9, Section 3, Article 2, Item 2 of the NFL Rules.
Illegal Catch or Recovery. If the kickers catch or recover a kick beyond the line that has not been touched beyond the line by the receiving team, the ball is dead, and it is first-and-10 for the receivers at the spot of catch or recovery.
In your scenario, the ball is dead because the punting team recovered a kick beyond the line of scrimmage without the receiving team touching the ball. Note that this is different from a kick-off, which can be recovered by the kicking team after the ball has travelled 10 yards.
edited 22 mins ago
Philip Kendall♦
16.5k22452
answered 1 hour ago
just curious
676
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If I understand your question correctly, you're asking why play stops if the punting team touches the ball. This is because it is technically a penalty for illegal touching for the punting team to touch the ball on a punt first.
Now, because it is a penalty, the receiving team is in fact allowed to advance the ball if it merely touched and not "downed", and anything bad that happens is null (similar to interceptions and fumbles being wiped out because of a defensive penalty). Most of the time, there isn't an opportunity to do so and the play merely ends. Sometimes, the punting team doesn't pay attention and a savvy player can scoop up the touched ball and run with it.
answered 36 mins ago
pboss3010
2114
Many punts are downed by the punting team (see punts that travel inside the 20, for example). This may be considered an "illegal catch or recovery" in the rules, but I am uncertain that this is "technically a penalty."
– just curious
27 mins ago
Okay, I see I was assuming the play where the ball merely touches a player on the punting team first, not a catch or "possession". You'll see commentators remark how an illegal touch is a free play for the receiving team because it's a penalty that the refs don't throw the flag on. If they gain yardage, they can "decline" the penalty and get that yardage, but if they lose yardage or a turnover happens, they get the ball at the point of the touch (or spot of the foul).
– pboss3010
17 mins ago
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
This is covered in Rule 9, Section 3, Article 2, Item 2 of the NFL Rules.
Illegal Catch or Recovery. If the kickers catch or recover a kick beyond the line that has not been touched beyond the line by the receiving team, the ball is dead, and it is first-and-10 for the receivers at the spot of catch or recovery.
In your scenario, the ball is dead because the punting team recovered a kick beyond the line of scrimmage without the receiving team touching the ball. Note that this is different from a kick-off, which can be recovered by the kicking team after the ball has travelled 10 yards.
edited 22 mins ago
Philip Kendall♦
16.5k22452
answered 1 hour ago
just curious
676
New contributor
just curious is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
This is covered in Rule 9, Section 3, Article 2, Item 2 of the NFL Rules.
Illegal Catch or Recovery. If the kickers catch or recover a kick beyond the line that has not been touched beyond the line by the receiving team, the ball is dead, and it is first-and-10 for the receivers at the spot of catch or recovery.
In your scenario, the ball is dead because the punting team recovered a kick beyond the line of scrimmage without the receiving team touching the ball. Note that this is different from a kick-off, which can be recovered by the kicking team after the ball has travelled 10 yards.
edited 22 mins ago
Philip Kendall♦
16.5k22452
answered 1 hour ago
just curious
676
New contributor
just curious is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
This is covered in Rule 9, Section 3, Article 2, Item 2 of the NFL Rules.
Illegal Catch or Recovery. If the kickers catch or recover a kick beyond the line that has not been touched beyond the line by the receiving team, the ball is dead, and it is first-and-10 for the receivers at the spot of catch or recovery.
In your scenario, the ball is dead because the punting team recovered a kick beyond the line of scrimmage without the receiving team touching the ball. Note that this is different from a kick-off, which can be recovered by the kicking team after the ball has travelled 10 yards.
edited 22 mins ago
Philip Kendall♦
16.5k22452
answered 1 hour ago
just curious
676
New contributor
just curious is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
This is covered in Rule 9, Section 3, Article 2, Item 2 of the NFL Rules.
Illegal Catch or Recovery. If the kickers catch or recover a kick beyond the line that has not been touched beyond the line by the receiving team, the ball is dead, and it is first-and-10 for the receivers at the spot of catch or recovery.
In your scenario, the ball is dead because the punting team recovered a kick beyond the line of scrimmage without the receiving team touching the ball. Note that this is different from a kick-off, which can be recovered by the kicking team after the ball has travelled 10 yards.
edited 22 mins ago
Philip Kendall♦
16.5k22452
answered 1 hour ago
just curious
676
New contributor
just curious is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 22 mins ago
Philip Kendall♦
16.5k22452
edited 22 mins ago
Philip Kendall♦
16.5k22452
edited 22 mins ago
Philip Kendall♦
16.5k22452
16.5k22452
answered 1 hour ago
just curious
676
New contributor
just curious is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 1 hour ago
just curious
676
answered 1 hour ago
just curious
676
676
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just curious is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
just curious is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
just curious is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
If I understand your question correctly, you're asking why play stops if the punting team touches the ball. This is because it is technically a penalty for illegal touching for the punting team to touch the ball on a punt first.
Now, because it is a penalty, the receiving team is in fact allowed to advance the ball if it merely touched and not "downed", and anything bad that happens is null (similar to interceptions and fumbles being wiped out because of a defensive penalty). Most of the time, there isn't an opportunity to do so and the play merely ends. Sometimes, the punting team doesn't pay attention and a savvy player can scoop up the touched ball and run with it.
answered 36 mins ago
pboss3010
2114
Many punts are downed by the punting team (see punts that travel inside the 20, for example). This may be considered an "illegal catch or recovery" in the rules, but I am uncertain that this is "technically a penalty."
– just curious
27 mins ago
Okay, I see I was assuming the play where the ball merely touches a player on the punting team first, not a catch or "possession". You'll see commentators remark how an illegal touch is a free play for the receiving team because it's a penalty that the refs don't throw the flag on. If they gain yardage, they can "decline" the penalty and get that yardage, but if they lose yardage or a turnover happens, they get the ball at the point of the touch (or spot of the foul).
– pboss3010
17 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
If I understand your question correctly, you're asking why play stops if the punting team touches the ball. This is because it is technically a penalty for illegal touching for the punting team to touch the ball on a punt first.
Now, because it is a penalty, the receiving team is in fact allowed to advance the ball if it merely touched and not "downed", and anything bad that happens is null (similar to interceptions and fumbles being wiped out because of a defensive penalty). Most of the time, there isn't an opportunity to do so and the play merely ends. Sometimes, the punting team doesn't pay attention and a savvy player can scoop up the touched ball and run with it.
answered 36 mins ago
pboss3010
2114
Many punts are downed by the punting team (see punts that travel inside the 20, for example). This may be considered an "illegal catch or recovery" in the rules, but I am uncertain that this is "technically a penalty."
– just curious
27 mins ago
Okay, I see I was assuming the play where the ball merely touches a player on the punting team first, not a catch or "possession". You'll see commentators remark how an illegal touch is a free play for the receiving team because it's a penalty that the refs don't throw the flag on. If they gain yardage, they can "decline" the penalty and get that yardage, but if they lose yardage or a turnover happens, they get the ball at the point of the touch (or spot of the foul).
– pboss3010
17 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
If I understand your question correctly, you're asking why play stops if the punting team touches the ball. This is because it is technically a penalty for illegal touching for the punting team to touch the ball on a punt first.
Now, because it is a penalty, the receiving team is in fact allowed to advance the ball if it merely touched and not "downed", and anything bad that happens is null (similar to interceptions and fumbles being wiped out because of a defensive penalty). Most of the time, there isn't an opportunity to do so and the play merely ends. Sometimes, the punting team doesn't pay attention and a savvy player can scoop up the touched ball and run with it.
answered 36 mins ago
pboss3010
2114
If I understand your question correctly, you're asking why play stops if the punting team touches the ball. This is because it is technically a penalty for illegal touching for the punting team to touch the ball on a punt first.
Now, because it is a penalty, the receiving team is in fact allowed to advance the ball if it merely touched and not "downed", and anything bad that happens is null (similar to interceptions and fumbles being wiped out because of a defensive penalty). Most of the time, there isn't an opportunity to do so and the play merely ends. Sometimes, the punting team doesn't pay attention and a savvy player can scoop up the touched ball and run with it.
answered 36 mins ago
pboss3010
2114
answered 36 mins ago
pboss3010
2114
answered 36 mins ago
pboss3010
2114
answered 36 mins ago
pboss3010
2114
2114
Many punts are downed by the punting team (see punts that travel inside the 20, for example). This may be considered an "illegal catch or recovery" in the rules, but I am uncertain that this is "technically a penalty."
– just curious
27 mins ago
Okay, I see I was assuming the play where the ball merely touches a player on the punting team first, not a catch or "possession". You'll see commentators remark how an illegal touch is a free play for the receiving team because it's a penalty that the refs don't throw the flag on. If they gain yardage, they can "decline" the penalty and get that yardage, but if they lose yardage or a turnover happens, they get the ball at the point of the touch (or spot of the foul).
– pboss3010
17 mins ago
add a comment |Â
Many punts are downed by the punting team (see punts that travel inside the 20, for example). This may be considered an "illegal catch or recovery" in the rules, but I am uncertain that this is "technically a penalty."
– just curious
27 mins ago
Okay, I see I was assuming the play where the ball merely touches a player on the punting team first, not a catch or "possession". You'll see commentators remark how an illegal touch is a free play for the receiving team because it's a penalty that the refs don't throw the flag on. If they gain yardage, they can "decline" the penalty and get that yardage, but if they lose yardage or a turnover happens, they get the ball at the point of the touch (or spot of the foul).
– pboss3010
17 mins ago
Many punts are downed by the punting team (see punts that travel inside the 20, for example). This may be considered an "illegal catch or recovery" in the rules, but I am uncertain that this is "technically a penalty."
– just curious
27 mins ago
Many punts are downed by the punting team (see punts that travel inside the 20, for example). This may be considered an "illegal catch or recovery" in the rules, but I am uncertain that this is "technically a penalty."
– just curious
27 mins ago
Okay, I see I was assuming the play where the ball merely touches a player on the punting team first, not a catch or "possession". You'll see commentators remark how an illegal touch is a free play for the receiving team because it's a penalty that the refs don't throw the flag on. If they gain yardage, they can "decline" the penalty and get that yardage, but if they lose yardage or a turnover happens, they get the ball at the point of the touch (or spot of the foul).
– pboss3010
17 mins ago
Okay, I see I was assuming the play where the ball merely touches a player on the punting team first, not a catch or "possession". You'll see commentators remark how an illegal touch is a free play for the receiving team because it's a penalty that the refs don't throw the flag on. If they gain yardage, they can "decline" the penalty and get that yardage, but if they lose yardage or a turnover happens, they get the ball at the point of the touch (or spot of the foul).
– pboss3010
17 mins ago
add a comment |Â
E. Sommer is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
E. Sommer is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
E. Sommer is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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