Little Known Rules we all need to Know

[Troglodyte]

I wonder why we don't see the return team attempting to return every punt that is first touched by the defense.

They better be damn sure the ball was touched and/or the officials or replay will confirm it.

 

[Southern Burgh]

I would like to see two versions....One where if it is blatant make it a spot foul..Another if it is minor make it just a 15 yarder. Ref discretion is still in play of course...you can never take that aspect out of the game.

You can take that aspect out of the game, by not introducing yet another 'judgement call' by the refs. The less rules there are that are left up to ref discretion, the better, and the closer to removing their bullshit from the equation.

 

[Stainless]

They better be damn sure the ball was touched and/or the officials or replay will confirm it.

True, but I would be like the All State Mayhem guy, As soon as the punting team touched the ball it would be on. Don't pick it up unless you want to get tackled, strip searched and taunted on my way to the end zone.

 

[CHam59]

I would like to see two versions....One where if it is blatant make it a spot foul..Another if it is minor make it just a 15 yarder. Ref discretion is still in play of course...you can never take that aspect out of the game.

That's the problem with so many rules, they're judgement calls on the part of the refs and there's zero consistency. To me the more you can take individual judgement out of it, the better.

 

[stillwright]

That's the problem with so many rules, they're judgement calls on the part of the refs and there's zero consistency. To me the more you can take individual judgement out of it, the better.

You can never take that aspect out of the game.

 

[paperclip]

I didn't know the rule. I was going crazy thinking it was a TD.

hell ya i was

 

[Steelerz99]

While we're talking about stupid rules, can we get rid of the spot of the foul penalty for PI? 15 yards and an automatic first down should be enough. I absolutely hate that penalty. And it's not like it's deterring defenders from doing it.

And why is defensive holding 5 yards, and 10 for offensive?

 

[Stryker]

I wonder why we don't see the return team attempting to return every punt that is first touched by the defense. Pick it up and lateral that baby 50 times if you have to, or would that be a violation of the rule? Can it only be touched by one guy on the return team before it's considered a live ball?

The returning team could do that with no penalty.

 

[swal75]

I'd be more fine with spot foul PI calls if they were reviewable.

And basically all 15 yard penalties should be.

 

[Stoney]

I have to say that I'm kind of surprised that so many people were unaware of this rule.

 

[SteelerSask2]

I always thought the five yard restraining area in Canadian Football was stupid, and in some ways it is. But at least it promotes returns. That is now twice that I've been completely amazed by NFL punt rules. The first was in San Diego in '05. The guy muffed the punt into the air and the Steeler caught it like three yards away. They gave it back to San Diego because they said that the player required another opportunity to catch it before it was considered a fumble. As in it is not a fumble till it hits the ground. Then this thing.
But the thing is this. You will see that rule interpreted differently (perhaps incorrectly) another time, just as we did with the illegal batting which kept the Seahawks from being 1 and 5

 

[swal75]

That was the Sproules play vs SD, right? That completely blew my mind.

 

[steelerscotty]

Here is another interesting aspect of this rule: Since it is an infraction for the defense to touch the ball first once a punt crosses the line of scrimmage, the half or game cannot end on that play. The offense would get to run one play with 0:00 on the clock in either scenario.