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Football Officiating => National Football League => Topic started by: will27 on November 03, 2015, 12:05:55 AM

Title: Substitutions/Illegal Touching clarifications
Post by: will27 on November 03, 2015, 12:05:55 AM

1) If the offense is at/near the line of scrimmage, but isn't set, can they substitute (clock running)?

2) Also, you occasionally see a gunner (boundary side) covering a punt seemingly deliberately run out of bounds. Isn't this an illegal touching foul?

Title: Re: Substitutions/Illegal Touching clarifications
Post by: goodgrr on November 03, 2015, 01:32:37 AM

Quote from: will27 on November 03, 2015, 12:05:55 AM

2) Also, you occasionally see a gunner (boundary side) covering a punt seemingly deliberately run out of bounds. Isn't this an illegal touching foul?

Looking at the wording (and colour emphasis in the rule), it's illegal if he's going out to avoid a block...
"During a punt that crosses the line of scrimmage, and prior to a change of possession, it is a foul if a kicking team player goes out of bounds voluntarily (without being contacted) to avoid a block by a receiving team player prior to the end of the kick."