Expert: Vic Winnek - 10/2/2006

Question
Is a blocked punt that still travels beyond the line of scrimmage act as a regular punt?  Therefore, when the receiving team touches the ball beyond the line of scrimmage, but does not recover the ball and the kicking team then recovers the ball, is it now the kicking team's ball with a new set of downs?  Does the kick still need to travel beyond the required yards for the kicking team's first down to get tne new set of downs?  I was watching the UGA-UM game the other night and the play was reviewed.  The announcers kept saying that UM after they blocked the punt did touch the ball but never gained possession before UGA recovered.  But on most punts the receiving team only needs to touch the ball for the kicking team to get the ball back.  Does it have to do with the fact UGA recovered, but still didn't gain enough yards for the 1st down?  What if a kicking team is faced with a long 4th down and say 40 and punts it 30 yards where the receiving team's returner drops the catch and the kicking team recovers, does the receiving team just take the ball there since the kicking team's recovery only gave them 30 of the necessary 40 yards for the first down?

Answer
Andy,
Thank you for your questions regarding punts.  I did not see the play you are describing, but think I understand what you are asking.

The fact the ball was blocked behind the Line of Scrimmage (LOS) and continues across the LOS does not change the status of the ball.  It is still a scrimmage kick/Punt. Yes it is a "regualr punt".

If the Punting team ("A") is to get posession of the ball after punting it beyond the LOS certain things must happen:
1. Team "B" must either muff (touches) the kick that is beyond the LOS then "A" recovers the loose ball;
2. After catching the kick or recovering it "B" fumbles the the ball and "A" recovers.
If either of these two happen it will be "A's" ball at the spot they recover the ball.

If the Punting team "A" is the first to touch the ball beyond the LOS it is considered to be illegal touching by team A and Team B will have the option of retaining the ball at the spot of illegal touching no mater what resulted on the play before the play is dead.  If the ball is muffed a in #1 "A" can not advanced the ball and the ball becomes dead in A's possession 1st & 10 at that spot. As in #2 if the ball is fumbled it can be advanced by A.  It will be A's ball at the spot here the ball becomes dead in A's possession.


As for your 4th/40 example: A punts 30 yrds to B. B muffs the kick and A recovers.  It will be A's ball 1st & 10 at the spot of recovery (punting team's ball).

I hope this answers your question and helps you understand the kicking game a bit better.

Victor Winnek