Team A punts. Team B lets the punted ball bounce towards the endzone. Player from team A leaps into the air OVER the end zone and bats the ball back into the field of play in the hopes of a team mate downing the ball. Instead, a player from Team B catches the ball and runs with it, only to fumble the ball at, say, midfield. The fumble is recovered by team A. How would this play be ruled? There's some weird rule about a kicking team touching the ball without having downed it. How would this rule work if the ball was first touched in the air over the endzone rather than the field of play.
2007-01-21 15:14:59 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Football (American)
It that situation the ball would have to roll dead for it to be downed. But if the other team catches it and takes off its all legal.
Also in the NFL it is legal for the ball to cross the goal line and to be hit back onto the field as long as the player never stepped in the enzone. The rule that a previous user answered with is a rule in the NCAA not the NFL.
2007-01-21 15:22:52 · answer #1 · answered by edempsey18 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Team B gets the ball back at the spot of the fumble. Hidden rule in the rulebook. If Team A (punting team) touches the ball first, and Team B gets possession no matter what happens afterwards Team B will get the ball back. Not sure the rationale, but it is a rule. I don't know whether this is a rule in the NCAA or other leagues, but you asked NFL which I know is the rule for the NFL.
2007-01-21 15:22:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the team A player isn't on the ground in the end zone when he bats the ball back, and if the ball doesn't touch the ground in the end zone, then it's still a live ball and when the player from team B picks it up, it's fair game. So team A would have the ball at midfield.
2007-01-21 15:21:10 · answer #3 · answered by jdbreeze1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is team A's ball at midfield. The ball is still live because it was not in control, therefore not downed by team A. If the ball was touched in the air over the endzone, it is a touchback. Once the ball crosses the plane of the goal line, it is a touchback.
2007-01-21 15:21:21 · answer #4 · answered by Natterjack9 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is illegal touching. Team b cant even pick up or advance the ball once team A touches it.
2007-01-21 15:25:50 · answer #5 · answered by laxxx0013 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll watch as much of the baseball as possible, then switch to the Broncos during commercials. Also watch as much of the football as the baseball game will allow before or after. I'm just too hooked on the Twins to give up watching them during the stretch run of a pennant chase.
2016-05-24 12:22:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋