Expert: Vic Winnek - 9/24/2011

Question
hey vic! when did this rule come about not being able to advance a ball punted or kicked  if it was touched by a receiving team player? in other words team A punts receiver on team B touches the ball team B picks it up and advances. when did this stop being possible and referred to as a"dead ball/ not advance?"

Answer
Kenneth
I am traveling for my football game I am officiating this weekend and will tied up all day Sunday at the Fox NFL Command Center, so I will follow up to this response after I research it Sunday night.  This question will require me to read through the old rule books and research it could take hours and I am on the road now away from my library.

The Kicking Team [Team A] has not be allowed to advance a kick for decades.

I think there may be an error in your question.  [You write: "in other words team A punts, receiver on team B touches the ball team B picks it up and advances".]  Team B has always been allowed to advance a kick, the prohibition is on Team A.

If Team B muffs [touches] the kick Team A may recover the ball but cannot advance it, by rule the ball becomes dead when Team A gains possession of a Kick.

KENNETH,

IF THE BALL IS TOUCHED BY THE RECEIVING TEAM [TEAM B] IT CAN BE RECOVERED BY THE KICKING TEAM JUST NOT ADVANCED; THAT RULE ESSENTIALLY CAME INTO AFFECT IN 1927. THE RULES COMMITTEE CONSIDERED RULES REGARDING RECOVERY BY THE KICKING TEAM AND SIMILAR RULES IN 1903-1905; AND AGAIN IN 1923 AND 1925.  IN 1927 AND 1928 THE RULE WAS MADE CLEAR THAT THE PLAYER OF THE KICKING TEAM MAY NOT ADVANCE A KICKED BALL AFTER GAINING POSSESSION.  thus the rule causes the ball to become dead when a kicked ball is possessed by a member of the kicking team.

THE RULES COMMITTEE BEING CONCERNED WITH SAFETY OF PLAYERS AND FAIR PLAY ADDRESSED THE KICKING GAME RATHER SERIOUSLY AND EXTENSIVELY FROM 1901-1917.

i HOPE THIS ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION

Ken
just another follow up, for maore detailed information  at the turn of the century (1900s) and years following when the Rules committee was trying to make the game safer restrictions were placed on members of the kicking team [i.e. being onside, not recovering the ball - the exception was the kicker who was allowed to recover and advance].  It was in 1927 and 1928 as indicted above when the rules committee prohibited a member of the kicking team to advance a kick.  They could recover the kick but the ball became dead when possessed by the kickers.

I see you have not read the response so far, hope you get a chance to to so. I have read through 90 years of king rules to find the year of change, wow now I have to go back anre-read the current rules LOL to make sure I have it straight.  
Best of luck and look forward to hearing from you.