If a ball on a punt is first touched by the kicking team and then touched by the receiving team but then recovered by the kicking team. Does the kicking team get the ball?

Answer 1

If the kicking team touches the ball first, they cannot gain possession. Even if the receiving team picks up the ball and fumbles it, the kicking team cannot legally recover it. The ball is dead and possessed by the receivers at the recovery point.

That's right, because a punt first touched by the kicking team is always considered an illegal touch. When a kicking team downs the ball on an ordinary punt play, that's technically an illegal touch, but no penalty is assessed -- the ball simply goes over to the receiving team at that point. In the scenario presented in the question, the only difference is that the kicking team failed to down the ball on their first touch. No matter what happens after that point, they are ineligible to recover the ball.

Answer 2

If a player from the receiving team touches the ball at all on a punt and the ball is still in play, whoever recovers the ball in play gets the ball.

AnswerA punt or field goal except a try after touchdown is a scrimmage kick. A scrimmage kick that is recovered behind the line of scrimmage may be advanced by either team. A low scrimmage kick that is touched beyond the line of scrimmage by the receivers is ignored. If the kickers contact the ball beyond the line of scrimmage either intentionally or not they have committed a first touching violation. The ball is then free for the receivers to recover and advance. As long as they do not foul during the down the receivers will have the choice of taking the results of the play or return the ball to the spot of first touching where the receivers will retain possession. As an example a scrimmage kick strikes a kicker after bouncing on the ground. The receiver picks up the ball runs ten yards and fumbles. The ball is recovered by the kickers. Because of the first touching violation the receivers retain the ball where it was first touched by the kickers beyond the line of scrimmage. If the receivers are the first to touch a scrimmage kick beyond the line of scrimmage the team that is in possession at the end of the down will be awarded a first down where the ball is recovered. A kick remains a kick unless it is a dead ball or is possessed. A ball that is first touched beyond the line of scrimmage by the receivers may be recovered but not advanced by the kickers. As an example if a kick is touched by the receivers but not possessed by them it is a muff and may be recovered but not advanced by the kicking team. If the receivers possess the kick the kick has ended and if they lose possession of the live ball it may be advanced by either team. And now you know why the kicking game is where most errors occur.

Answer 3

Once the receiving team touches the ball it is live, like a fumble. Anybody can pick it up and run in whatever direction they like. Whoever is holding the ball at the end of the play takes possession, and yes, the punting team can score on such a play.

Answer 4

As soon as anyone from the kicking team touches the ball, it is considered to be Illegal Touching. The receiving team takes possession of the ball where the Illegal Touch occurred.

Just because the ball was touched, it does not mean it is a dead ball. The receiving team can try to get possession of the ball and move it forward. If the punt returner touches the football and loses possession, it can be recovered by the kicking team.

However, given the way punts are covered in the NFL, this is unlikely to occur. The punt returner would likely be surrounded by players from the punting team, who typically crowd around the ball so it cannot be returned. The punt returner would most likely let the punting team down the ball and have his team take possession where the Illegal Touch took place.

Answer 5

Once the receiving team touches it becomes a live ball and if the kicking team recovers it regardless how far it went they have the ball.

Answer 6

Receiving team. Same as a catch. You must have possession before its your ball.