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:
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. Rules vary by league about how to handle a muffed punt.
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Notes
- ↑ "Recovery of a muffed catch". AllExperts.com. http://en.allexperts.com/q/College-Football-2792/recovery-muffed-catch.htm. Retrieved 21 October 2007.
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