lazytitan Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Here is an argument I have been having with co-workers and I thought this would be a good place to find out what others thought. Here is the official rule that started the debate... http://static.nfl.co...Definitions.pdf FUMBLE Article 4A Fumble is any act, other than a pass or kick, which results in loss of player possession. The term Fumble always implies possession. (8-7-3). Note: If a player pretends to fumble and causes the ball to go forward, it is a forward pass and may be illegal (8-1-2-Pen. a, c). A.R. 3.1 While runner A1 is in possession, defensive player B1 grabs the ball away from him. Ruling:Fumble. A.R. 3.2 While runner A1 is in possession, defensive player B1 kicks the ball away from him. Ruling:A foul during a fumble. Kicking a ball in player possession is a foul (12-1-9) So the way I read this is when a fumble is being recovered you are not allowed to run up and kick the ball out of the players hand. Others read this rule and say it means you are not allowed to kick the ball out of a players hand at any time. Now obviously there would never be a time where some player would try kicking a ball out of a players hands on purpose but its being argued that if a players foot causes the fumble its will be a penalty no matter what. I have watched a lot of football and never once during any replay have I seen them ask what caused the fumble only if it was a fumble. WITH the exception of the ground causing the fumble. So can a fumble be caused by a player kicking the ball out of a players hands on purpose or by accident. I may be wrong but that's why I want to see what others thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMD Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 No. You cannot kick the ball out of the possession of another player. The rule doesn't stipulate intent (accident or not), just the result. That's reads clear to me. You are I think confusing matters when you say a fumble is being recovered. If it is in possession, then you cannot do it. The refs would decide if the player had possession prior to a kick. Kicking is pretty much frowned on outside of special teams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chester Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Funny how the game of football frowns on kicking the ball in 95% of plays. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevegrab Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Funny how the game of football frowns on kicking the ball in 95% of plays. A big reason why many Europeans don't get it being called football, and hate that we call their football soccer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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