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Little Known Rules we all need to Know

Stryker

Stryker

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I just went through the game thread. I couldn't be on it since I was using my computer to stream USTVNow. When Boykin made the play to stop the punt from going in the end zone, the cardinals gained possession and fumbles. By rule, when the kicking team touches a punt, the ball is dead. The receiving team can attempt to pick up and advance the ball with no penalty. This means the receiving team can pick up a touched ball, run down the field, and retains possession because, by rule, the returning team has the choice of taking the ball where it was first touched by the D or where the ball is advanced to. We had Zero chance of getting that ball. It's just a rule we all need to get used to.

Another interesting rule happened tonight in the Eagles/ Giants game. The giants on 3rd and 1 run a pick play and a flag is thrown. The refs converse and pick up the flag, because, by rule, you are able to pick the defense within 1 yard of the line of scrimmage. This is a rule the patriots know well and utilize each and every short yardage situation. Good for 2pt conversions for our playbook!
 
I always remember that rule regarding punting team being the first to touch the ball, like forever. The announcer just missed the fact they we touched it first, I guess he thought it changed direction on its own? Moron.
 
If a rule is little known it is probably because it is stupid. A fumble is a fumble. If the punting team knocked the ball into him it would make sense. He chose to pick it up. He fumbled. Stupid rule.
 
both of the rules need to change....
 
The only reason the guy would even attempt a return is because he knows its a free play.
 
SteelerSask said:
If a rule is little known it is probably because it is stupid. A fumble is a fumble. If the punting team knocked the ball into him it would make sense. He chose to pick it up. He fumbled. Stupid rule.
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He might have been smart enough to know he couldn't fumble so he tried to pick it up. It's a rule because of the scenario you mentioned.
 
SteelerSask said:
If a rule is little known it is probably because it is stupid. A fumble is a fumble. If the punting team knocked the ball into him it would make sense. He chose to pick it up. He fumbled. Stupid rule.
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Well maybe the guy that tried to pick the ball up after being touch by Boykin knew the rule...and that is why he tried to grab it and advance it.
 
I actually don't like the punt rules in general. If a guy attempts to field it and muffs it, live ball, sure. If the ball is woefully under kicked and richochets off of a gunners back, I don't think that should result in a fumble, but whatever. I'm sure this is an unpopular opinion but it's a really fluky play and I don't like it.
 
So, if the runner picks up the ball after the defender touches the ball and attempts to advance, how far can he run with it and still fumble it without penalty??? That rule makes absolutely zero sense.
 
jsinohio said:
So, if the runner picks up the ball after the defender touches the ball and attempts to advance, how far can he run with it and still fumble it without penalty??? That rule makes absolutely zero sense.
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They could have ran the ball back all the way to the one yard line, fumbled and still retained possession where the ball was originally deemed down.

Here's what everyone is missing. When you punt, and the ball is "downed" by the kicking team, it's actually an illegal touching and the ball is dead at the spot. It's just like if you get a guy to jump offsides, and you take a shot downfield but it's intercepted, you maintain possession because of the offsides penalty.
 
What I don't understand is if it's downed the moment the kicking team first touches it, why does the ball have to stop all movement before it's considered down/dead play? If it's kicked to the 5 yard line and rolls towards the end zone, is touched at the 1 yard line and is then immediately knocked out of the back of the end zone by a player falling into it, it becomes a touch back.
 
stillwright said:
Well maybe the guy that tried to pick the ball up after being touch by Boykin knew the rule...and that is why he tried to grab it and advance it.
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I have no doubt that he knew the rule but it doesn't make it less stupid. The term downed, should mean the end of the play.
 
Southern Burgh said:
What I don't understand is if it's downed the moment the kicking team first touches it, why does the ball have to stop all movement before it's considered down/dead play? If it's kicked to the 5 yard line and rolls towards the end zone, is touched at the 1 yard line and is then immediately knocked out of the back of the end zone by a player falling into it, it becomes a touch back.
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I guess to give the return team a chance to return it.
 
Southern Burgh said:
What I don't understand is if it's downed the moment the kicking team first touches it, why does the ball have to stop all movement before it's considered down/dead play? If it's kicked to the 5 yard line and rolls towards the end zone, is touched at the 1 yard line and is then immediately knocked out of the back of the end zone by a player falling into it, it becomes a touch back.
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all about possessing the ball.
 
I wonder why everyone is now making a big hoot over this. The rule has been there forever. I have seen it before and I am sure most everyone else has too. Hell. Next time we might be on the opposite side of the equation and glad for the rule. The rule it what it is.
 
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.
 
CHam59 said:
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.
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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.
 
This rule has always been in effect. I'm glad somebody actually knew about it. It should come into play more often than it does. When teams are trying to down it at the one, once it is touched the kicking team should never give the man easy down
 
stillwright said:
I wonder why everyone is now making a big hoot over this. The rule has been there forever. I have seen it before and I am sure most everyone else has too. Hell. Next time we might be on the opposite side of the equation and glad for the rule. The rule it what it is.
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Yeah, I remember first learning of it back in the mid 90s or so during the Cowher era. And it was when a Steeler picked the ball up to return it because he knew the rule and people were screaming, thinking he was an idiot. As Tomlin would say, it is what it is.
 
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?
 
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