- Muffed punt
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In American football, a muffed punt is defined as "touching of the ball prior to possessing the ball."
A muffed punt occurs when there is an "uncontrolled touch" of the football by a player on the returning team after it is punted. This can occur when:
- The kicking team interferes with the other team's right to catch the punt
- A player on the kicking team is struck unaware by the football running downfield to cover the punt.
- A player attempts to return the ball, makes contact with it but cannot retain the ball in his hands and it comes loose.
Rules vary by league about how to handle a muffed punt. A muffed punt is not a fumble. To be a fumble, the receiving team must possess the football, then lose control. In the case of a fumble, the ball is live and can be returned by the team that recovers the ball. In the case of a muffed punt, it is possible for the punting team to recover the ball and continue the drive, but at least in NCAA and NFL rules, they cannot advance the ball on that same play.
References
Gridiron football concepts Codes American • Canadian (US–Canadian comparison) • Arena • Indoor • 9-man • 8-man • 6-man • Flag • Touch • Street/BackyardLevels of play Field End zone • Goal line • Line of scrimmage • Neutral zone • Field goal range • Out of bounds • SidelinesEquipment Positions Offense: Quarterback • Running backs (Halfback, Fullback, H-back) • Receivers (Wide receiver, Tight end, Slotback) • Linemen (Center, Guard, Tackle)
Defense: Linemen (Defensive tackle, Defensive end, Nose tackle) • Linebacker • Defensive back (Cornerback, Safety, Nickelback, Dimeback, Halfback)
Special Teams: Placekicker • Punter • Kickoff specialist • Long snapper • Holder • Punt returner • Kickoff returner • Return specialist • Gunner
Other: Utility player • Triple-threat man • Skill positionPlay types Offense: Rush • Pass • Incomplete pass • Lateral • Bootleg play • Draw play • End-around • Flea flicker • Flexbone formation • Fourth down conversion • Hail Mary pass • Halfback option play • Hook and lateral • Kneel • Motion • Hurry-up offense • Option run • Option offense • Play-action pass • Quarterback keeper • Quarterback sneak • Quick kick • Reverse • Scramble • Screen pass • Spike • Statue of Liberty • Sweep • Trick play • Wildcat formation
Defense: Tackle • Blitz • Rush • Sack • Shooting the gap • Stunt • Zone blitz
Special Teams: Kickoff • Kickoff return • Punt • Punt return • Drop kick • Fair catch • Fair catch kick • Icing the kicker • Onside kick • Squib kick • TryScoring Penalties Blocking below the waist • Block in the back • Chop block • Clipping • Delay of game • Encroachment • Equipment violations • Face mask • False start • Horse-collar tackle • Illegal contact • Illegal formation • Illegal forward kick • Illegal forward pass • Illegal hands to the face • Illegal motion • Illegal participation • Illegal shift • Illegal substitution • Illegal touching • Illegal touching of a free kick • Illegal use of hands • Ineligible receiver downfield • Intentional grounding • Holding • Leaping • Neutral Zone Infraction • Offside • Palpably unfair act • Pass interference • Personal Foul • Roughing the kicker • Roughing the passer • Roughing the snapper • Sideline infraction • Spearing • Time count • Tripping • Unsportsmanlike conductTurnovers Fumble • Interception • Muffed punt • Turnover on downsDowns First down • Three-and-out • Fourth down conversionPlay clock Statistics Passer rating • Reception • Receiving yards • Return yards • Total offense • Yards from scrimmage • All-purpose yardage • Touchdown passCelebrations Miscellaneous Snap • Dead ball • Touchback • Instant replay • Coffin corner • Glossary of American football • Glossary of Canadian football • Rules • Rules in American footballCategories:- American football terminology
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