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College Football/Safety or touchback?

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Expert: - 9/26/2007


Question
Hi,

This happened on the weekend of our local gridiron game here in Canberra, Australia. The refs here were very confused and the game changed completely after their decision. So can you please clear this up for me and my team.

We (Team A) were 4th and 10 on our own 2 yard line. Team A attempted to punt the ball, but a Team B (them) player blocked the ball and the ball went flying out the back of the endzone untouched except by the Team B player. Is this a safety or a touchback?

I know it has to do with impetus, but is the impetus imparted on the ball from the snap or from the Team B player blocking the punt? It says in the Approved Ruling "Batting the kick is considered to have destroyed the impetus of the kick and imparted a new impetus. So that would mean a touchback right?!

Please explain

Thanks
Shane

Answer
Shane
Thanks for the question.  It is a safety.

What put the ball through the endzone - the kick.  The ball was kicked and blocked.  The blocking of the kick/punt is not a batting.  The status of the ball remains a loose ball by virtue of the kick.  Who was in team possession - team A.  Who was responsible for kicking the ball - Team A.  Thus team A's loose ball (kick)that did not cross the neutral zone became dead behind their goal line.  Thus A is responsible and it is a Safety.  There is no new impetus by the blocking of the kick as blocking the ball is not considered batting.

Hope this helps.  Feel free to follow up if you need more of an explanation.

Best of luck,

Vic Winnek
NCAA Football Official

College Football

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Vic Winnek

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Will Answer all queries RE: Rules of Football - NCAA & Federation; Officiating; Instruction on Football; Mechanics & application of rules; Setting up Instructional programs and clinics for: Officials, coaches and media; Liability Issues (Legal & Insurance questions)arising from coaching, playing, refereeing, product liability. Serve as an Consultant and Expert Witness in Football Related Matters in Tort and Contract (Standard of Care for: officials, coaches, players, assignors, BOD; Player, equipment, field & stadium Safety; Fee issues, independant contractor workers compensation. History of the College football game -its evolution. MY PURPOSE IS TO INFORM & EDUCATE FANS, MEDIA, THOSE INTERESTED IN FOOTBALL ABOUT: THE RULES, THEIR APPLICATION, PHILOSOPHIES; OFFICIATING; LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVING FOOTBALL. I WILL NOT RESPOND TO BASHING OF TEAMS, COACHES OR OFFICIALS. I will not dignify rude or disparaging comments with a response, nor entertain questions that use profanity or questions that suggest Football officials are corupt, such an insinuation is ridiculous and ludicrous.

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24 years officiating High School & College football, NCAA Referee, Umpire, Back Judge & Line Judge 2 years Arena Football-substitution official Instructor of NCAA & Federation Officials, Played prep and college football; coached High School football; Athletic trainer; 23 years of instruction in Officiating Football

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