Downing a punt near goal line
Question
When did the rule change that a player (punting team) could be in the end zone and down the ball in the field of play? I thought if the player was in the end zone while touching the ball was a touch back. Thank you
Answer
Rod.
The only "change"that I read in the rules is under Article 7-- that states... "when a free kick is untouched by Team B touches the ground on or behind Team B goal line, the ball becomes dead and belongs to team B. The only other reference is in Section 6 "Touchback" Article 1 subsection B. A kick becomes dead by rule behind the defending teams goal line and the attacking team is responsible for the ball being there".
first down ...
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