6-2-4

[Patrick E.]

6-2-4 … Any K player may catch or recover a scrimmage kick while it is beyond the neutral zone or expanded neutral zone, provided such kick has been touched by a receiver who was clearly beyond the neutral zone at the time of touching. Such touching is ignored if it is caused by K pushing or blocking R into contact with the ball or it is caused by K legally batting or muffing the ball into R.  Such catch or recovery by K beyond the neutral zone causes the ball to become dead.  (6-5-6 EXCEPTION)

I am in a spot of grief trying to understand the need for the language "or expanded neutral zone" in the first sentence.

Any enlightenment is appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

[ncwingman]

The ENZ is relevant if there is a low scrimmage kick that is partially blocked / touched by a lineman within the ENZ -- this touching is ignored. Once the ball is clear of the ENZ, if it crosses the ENZ then bounces back into the ENZ and is touched by an R player, then this touching "counts" and the ball can be recovered by K since it is beyond the regular neutral zone.

The ENZ "dissolves" once the kick crosses it, similar to how the FBZ dissolves once the ball leaves the zone.

[Ralph Damren]

Wingman nailed it. We don't want to penalize R for partially blocking a low-liner.