Sometimes in football I see a member of the punting team catch a punt in the air over the endzone and, while still in the air, throw it out of the endzone to prevent a touchback. Why isn't this considered downing the ball, considering the punting team is touching the ball before the returning team? Thanks.
2006-09-04 07:45:09 · 3 answers · asked by C 3 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
The reason is that if the player has not touched the ground yet and and caught the ball that was therefore punt it will not be considered downing the punt.
If you look at this way if a WR catches a ball in the air but then gets pushed out of bounds by the defense it is consindered and incomplete pass even though he caught the ball in bounds but his body never touched the field inbonds.
2006-09-04 08:24:54 · answer #1 · answered by Justin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the punting team can reach the ball, even over the end zone, and tip it back onto the playing field, before it touches ground, the ball will be placed where ever it is downed in bounds, by a player from either team.
It cannot be advanced by the punting team. If the receiving team can catch the ball as it is batted back, IF IN THE AIR, the receiving team can advance the ball towards the opponent goal. Highly unlikely as the ball is always batted to the ground, and/or well covered.
It's not downing if it does not touch the ground in the end zone. When it does touch the ground in the end zone, even though batted, it becomes a touch back.
2006-09-04 15:01:33 · answer #2 · answered by ed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any player can down a punt. It's different then a kick off. a member of the punting team can down a punt anywhere with in the field of play however they can not claim possesion of the ball unless it is touched first by a member of the recieving team.
On a kick off any player may recover or return the ball as long as it travels 10 yards beyond the line of scrimmage.
2006-09-04 15:02:05 · answer #3 · answered by coolman_48413 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋