Blocked Punt

[coachsatcher]

We had a scenario play out this past week, and I'm curious the ruling. The punter is attempting to punt and he kicks it into the back of his upback, which is engaged with a defender. The official says the punt initially hit of the arm of the defender. The ball goes right back into the arms of the punter and he runs the ball past the LOS. Legal? No clean exchange or change of possession, so I was curious how he was able to advance the ball?

 

[JasonTX]

This is legal because the ball was kicked. A kicked by that does not cross the line of scrimmage may be advanced by any player. Below is the rule.


Unless the ball is kicked or forward passed, it may not be advanced beyond the neutral zone
until AFTER AN EXCHANGE has been made between the receiver of the snap and another player.
EXCEPTION: Any player of Team A may advance a loose football after it has been touched by a
Team B player. Forced touching of a ball by Team B is disregarded. PENALTY: 5 yards plus loss of
down (illegal procedure) from previous spot (S19 & S9). An exchange is completed when possession
of the football is gained by a receiver of the snap, given up voluntarily or involuntarily by the
receiver of the snap, and possession is regained by another player of Team A.