NFL Punt Rules

Every NFL fan has a love/hate relationship with the punt. Fans of the team that is punting really don't want to see the punter of the field, because that means their team is not doing well, yet they hold out hope that the punt is a ruse and their team will try a trick play to gain yardage. The fans of the team fielding the punt want to see a big return or even a blocked kick, but they also worry--a lot of bad things can happen when the football is spiraling in the air toward their return man.

When to Punt

Teams normally punt on fourth down, which is their last chance to move the ball for a first down, and they are too far away from the end zone to try and kick a field goal. However, a team can punt on any down if it desires.

Lining Up

The punter will line up 15 yards behind the center. The center anchors a line that must have at least seven people on the line of scrimmage. Most teams line up eight players on the line and split out two men, who will run down the field first. No players except the ones on the end can go past the line of scrimmage until the ball does.

Defending the Punt

It is illegal for defenders to climb on one another or to be thrown in the air in an effort to block the punt. If any defenders rough the punter (hit him hard after the ball is punted) behind the line of scrimmage and the punter is not running with the ball, then there will be a 15 yard penalty and a first down. If a player accidentally bumps and knocks down the punter, however, the referee can call a shorter five-yard penalty that is not an automatic first down. If a defender is thrown into the punter by an offensive player, that is not a penalty.

Catching the Punt

Any player on the defensive team can field the punt once it crosses the line of scrimmage. The kicking team will try to tackle anyone with the ball. However, if a player waves for a fair catch, that means the other team can not hit him. The ball is dead where he catches it--there is no advancement of the ball. If a return man touches the ball, but loses control, then either side can pick up the ball. If no one on the return team touches the ball, the other team can touch it to make it "dead," but cannot advance it.

The Touchback

It is a touchback if the punted ball goes into the end zone and the return team does not take it out. That means the team gets the ball at its own 20 yard line.

Common Penalties

The two most common penalties on punts are holding and illegal blocks to the back. The reason for this is players are running at top speed and at varying different angles. The return team players are trying to hit players in open space and sometimes will hit players in the back or grab them to stop them from hitting the man with the ball. These penalties will negate portions of the return.