On-side kick recovery and moff ball

Question
If a team executes an on-side kick in which the ball goes past  10 yards and the opposing team touches it but the ball never touches the ground when the kicking team recovers it, can the ball be advanced if it never hits the ground and is recovered in the air?  The league is using High School Federation rules.

Answer
Raul
No the ball may not be advanced by the kicking team.

The status of the ball is still a Free Kick.  The touching by the receiving team is considered a muff.  The receiving team never gains "possession" or control of the ball which would "end the kick".  Because the status of the ball remains a free kick when the kicking team recovers it, the ball becomes dead in the kicking team's possession.  The Kicking team may recover a free kick that has gone more than 10 yards but it may not advance a kick.

If the receiving team had recovered the kick - gained possession and then fumbled the ball, the kicking team in that situation would be able to recover the "fumbled ball" and advance it.  

I hope this explains the rule for you.  Best of luck,
Vic Winnek
NCAA Football Official