Punt kick question

[Aussie-Zebra]

A recent question I posed

If a punt is touched by the receiving team then recovered by the kicking team can it be advanced and who's ball is it?

rule 6-3-3 says all players are eligible after Team R touches the ball beyond the NZ. Can Team K advance the ball ?

R 6-3-3

All Become Eligible
ARTICLE 3. When a scrimmage kick that has crossed the neutral zone touches
a player of the receiving team who is inbounds, any player may catch or recover
the ball (Rule 6-3-1-b)

[clearwall]

Doesnt it matter where B touched the ball? If it's behind the NZ, i dont think A can advance it if it crosses the NZ. If B touches it BEYOND the NZ, then yes, A can advance it. Also, if B touches it behind the NZ and it does not cross the NZ, A can advance it there as well.

[Aussie-Zebra]

sorry - yes its beyond the NZ

[BankerRef]

The kicking team cannot advance a scrimmage kick that has crossed the NZ if they gain possession.  The status of the ball does not change when it is "touched" by the receiving team; it is still a kick.  K can recover the touched ball and be awarded a new set of downs but not advance.

[clearwall]

The kicking team cannot advance a scrimmage kick that has crossed the NZ if they gain possession.  The status of the ball does not change when it is "touched" by the receiving team; it is still a kick.  K can recover the touched ball and be awarded a new set of downs but not advance.

You're right, i misread the part where he said ADVANCE it. I read it as in they could recover. 6-3-1 states that regardless of how it is there, if a ball does not cross the NZ, anyone can recover and advance. 6-3-3 says that once it crosses the NZ, only B can recover and advance unless B touches and A recovers.

[brownie]

Isn't it 6-3-6 that covers this question?

6-3-6a states "If a player of the kicking team catches or recovers a scrimmage kick that has crossed the neutral zone, the ball becomes dead " so that eliminates any option to advance the ball as it's dead.

6-3-3 covers off that as it's touched by a player on the receiving team the player on the kicking team is eligible to legally recover the ball.

[James]

Then there is the point that helps to confuse the fans (but not us!) that the kick can be recovered but not advanced, but if the R has control of the ball and fumbles the kick is over and the ball can now be advanced again.

[Aussie-Zebra]

It would simplify things if they added this to the end of Rule 6-3-3

All Become Eligible
ARTICLE 3. When a scrimmage kick that has crossed the neutral zone touches
a player of the receiving team who is inbounds, any player may catch or recover
the ball BUT ONLY TEAM R CAN ADVANCE THE BALL

[Diablo]

It would simplify things if they added this to the end of Rule 6-3-3

All Become Eligible
ARTICLE 3. When a scrimmage kick that has crossed the neutral zone touches
a player of the receiving team who is inbounds, any player may catch or recover
the ball BUT ONLY TEAM R CAN ADVANCE THE BALL

Albeit a bit off, your proposed addition is covered by 4-1-3-e. 
Besides, there ain't no "Team R" in NCAA.

[Aussie-Zebra]

Off  ? please explain

I don't see how 4-1-3-e covers this situation ie) if the ball is touched by team B initially

e. When a player of the kicking team catches or recovers any free kick or a
scrimmage kick that has crossed the neutral zone.

it pretty much says the same thing as 6-3-6

[Kalle]

Off  ? please explain

I don't see how 4-1-3-e covers this situation ie) if the ball is touched by team B initially
it pretty much says the same thing as 6-3-6

Note that it does not say "catches or recovers any free kick or a scrimmage kick that has crossed the neutral zone and is untouched by team B beyond the neutral zone". It applies to all scrimmage kicks that have crossed the neutral zone, touched or untouched by team B anywhere.

[Aussie-Zebra]

Thanks Kalle for clearing that up.

[Kalle]

Thanks Kalle for clearing that up.

You're welcome, it's not like the NCAA rule book is known for its clarity...