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Does anybody actually know what the rule is regarding punts and touchbacks?
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Bearhawkeye Offline
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Post: #1
Does anybody actually know what the rule is regarding punts and touchbacks?
Just thinking about the OSU game and the punt that was downed near the endzone just before the safety.

I seem to remember many many instances of guys trying to toe the line as they catch the ball to stay out of the endzone or jumping into the endzone to tap the ball back to someone standing in play. Were they all crazy (or am I for thinking I've seen it)? Or is it strictly about the location of the ball regardless of where your feet are when you touch the ball? Is the ball considered down when touched by the punting team or do they have to have actual possession to down it in play?

Is the rule the same in college and the NFL?
 
09-23-2009 12:58 AM
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Coopdaddy67 Offline
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Post: #2
RE: Does anybody actually know what the rule is regarding punts and touchbacks?
I remember this being discussed in the game thread. I think I was wrong initially and then changed my mind after thinking about it for a second.

I believe it's strictly the location of the ball in college football. As long as the ball doesn't touch the goal line, anything goes.

No, the NFL rule is different. In the NFL, the ball can cross the goal line and be thrown back into play as long as the punt coverage man is outside the goal line when he's on the ground. He can leave his feet, cross the goal line, and slap the ball back into play. However, if he goes over the goal line and touches the ground while making contact with the football, it's a touchback.

And yes, actual possession must be had in order to down the punt in both leagues. The only exception to it being declared dead is when the defender tries to move it farther ahead. For instance, if you punt it down the the 24, the punt coverage man can't keep slapping the football down to the 1 yard line. The ball would be placed at the 24. Basically, you can't move the ball forward, only backwards.

I hope that's all right. If not, blame it on it being 3 AM instead of me. :)
 
09-23-2009 02:03 AM
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HoopsJunky Offline
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RE: Does anybody actually know what the rule is regarding punts and touchbacks?
If the College Rule is the same as the NFL rule then that play should have been a touch back.

In the NFL the player knocking it back must re-establish himself in the field of play before downing it or knocking the ball back.

OR. State player never established himself after going in the end zone.

I would be surprised if the rule was any different.
 
09-23-2009 07:30 AM
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rath v2.0 Offline
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RE: Does anybody actually know what the rule is regarding punts and touchbacks?
Its different than the NFL. Its just where the ball is downed. Player doesn't have to establish himself outside of the endzone in college. Refs made the right call.
 
09-23-2009 07:40 AM
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RE: Does anybody actually know what the rule is regarding punts and touchbacks?
Official rules:

Quote:Touchback: A kick becomes dead by rule behind the defending team’s goal line and
the attacking team is responsible for the ball being there (Exception:
Rule 8-4-2-b) (A.R. 6-3-4-IV).

Quote:Touching Ground On or Behind Goal Line
ARTICLE 7. When a free kick untouched by Team B touches the ground on or
behind Team B’s goal line, the ball becomes dead and belongs to Team B.

Quote:Loose Behind the Goal Line
ARTICLE 11. If a scrimmage kick untouched by Team B after crossing the neutral
zone is batted in Team B’s end zone by a player of Team A, it is a violation for
illegal touching (Rule 6-3-2). The spot of the violation is Team B’s 20-yard line,
which may be a penalty enforcement spot for fouls by Team A during the kick
play (Rules 6-3-13 and 10-2-4) (Exception: Rule 8-4-2-b) (A.R. 6-3-11-I-III and
A.R 2-11-2-I).

If you can parse this, you can understand the rules.
 
09-23-2009 08:34 AM
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