View topic - Hypothetical Punt question---

[stillDrink Profile]

My wife and I were discussing Ben's fake punt last weekend.

Question: If the ball had hit one of the Chargers, the steelers could have grabbed possession, correct? Would a strategy for him to kind of squib kick it towards one of their players work? Like directly at a big fat d-lineman who has bad hands?

[Slapnuts Profile]

I believe it is the same rules as a regular punt, however, most of these guys have good hands, even the loads up front, I don't know if you would want to chance that...and I believe the ball has to go beyond the line of scrimmage.

[Stillustronic Profile]

I think you want the ball to go down field more, like the one that bopped that Charger on the head.

Once the receiving team touches a punt (attempt), the ball is live for both teams to get.

[copeforpope Profile]

I think the kicking team can get it, but is not allowed to advance it. I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong.

[Steeledge Profile]

I think the kicking team can get it, but is not allowed to advance it. I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong.

That is correct, actually - same as a "muff" (now that's a game-time situation I can dive into!)

[Lambert5058 Profile]

Is this a new rule? Against the Bolts We got the ball where Madison recovered it, no TD. But I know I have lost more than one game of Madden because H olmes couldn't field the punt and the other team runs it in for the go ahead TD.

[logjammin Profile]

It's been that way for a long time. The kicking team gets the ball at the spot of the muff, if they recover it.

[SantaCruzSteel Profile]

Is this a new rule? Against the Bolts We got the ball where Madison recovered it, no TD. But I know I have lost more than one game of Madden because H olmes couldn't field the punt and the other team runs it in for the go ahead TD.

There is a difference between a muffed punt and a fumbled punt. If a player is struck by a punt or tries to field it and never has it, that is a muff. A fumble requires that a player has possession and then loses the ball. Fumbles can be advanced and muffs can not.

[beefaroni Profile]

I wanted to echo the rule about the punt being required to pass the line of scrimmage for the kicking team to be allowed to regain possession through a recovery.

It's the reason why a blocked punt/kick can't be recovered by the kicking team and be awarded a first down as a new possession.

[logjammin Profile]

If it's partially blocked and goes 1 yard past the line of scrimmage, and the kicking team recovers, does the kicking team get the ball 1st and 10, even if it was 4th and 20 before they kicked? Or does "past the line of scrimmage" refer to the place where the receiving team initially touches the ball?

[Steel Keeper Profile]

If it's partially blocked and goes 1 yard past the line of scrimmage, and the kicking team recovers, does the kicking team get the ball 1st and 10, even if it was 4th and 20 before they kicked? Or does "past the line of scrimmage" refer to the place where the receiving team initially touches the ball?

If the ball is blocked before crossing the LOS then the receiving team will get the ball 1st and 10. I believe the receiving team can advance a partially blocked punt but if the kicking team downs the ball it is dead, 1st and 10 receiving team.

Basically the ball has to be touched by the opposing team after the punt crosses the LOS to be recovered by the kicking team.

Now if it's partially blocked and then hits and a member of the receiving team after it crosses the LOS, then it's a muffed punt and the kicking team can recover. That would be a sight to behold!

[GodfatherofSoul Profile]

My wife and I were discussing Ben's fake punt last weekend.

Question: If the ball had hit one of the Chargers, the steelers could have grabbed possession, correct? Would a strategy for him to kind of squib kick it towards one of their players work? Like directly at a big fat d-lineman who has bad hands?

Problem is it has to get past the line of scrimmage. And, targeting a player with a kick from that far out is practically impossible. It's also very high risk (insanely short punt hoping you luck out and graze an opposing player then recover the ball).

[PGHeaven Profile]

If it's partially blocked and goes 1 yard past the line of scrimmage, and the kicking team recovers, does the kicking team get the ball 1st and 10, even if it was 4th and 20 before they kicked? Or does "past the line of scrimmage" refer to the place where the receiving team initially touches the ball?

If the ball is blocked before crossing the LOS then the receiving team will get the ball 1st and 10. I believe the receiving team can advance a partially blocked punt but if the kicking team downs the ball it is dead, 1st and 10 receiving team.

Basically the ball has to be touched by the opposing team after the punt crosses the LOS to be recovered by the kicking team.

Now if it's partially blocked and then hits and a member of the receiving team after it crosses the LOS, then it's a muffed punt and the kicking team can recover. That would be a sight to behold!

Steel Keeper nailed it and has essentially answered all possible situations. Now my question is this

On the REAL fake punt (remember Ben didnt fake punt - he really punted it) That got stuffed, I have this question

Why in FUCK did number 61 (the long snapper?) after the direct snap to Ryan - VACATE the hole over center to inexplicably go after some CB - thus leaving a truck sized hole for TWO rushers to come through and smother Ryan Clark????