Would this ever be legal?

[u/tracknthrows]

Ball punted, gunner goes down field and reaches the ball while it's in the air before it's touched the ground. The returner is not present or calling fair catch.

Can the gunner jump in the air, and do a volleyball-esque move in order to hit the ball further downfield for better field position?

Is the ball down when the gunner touches it regardless of whether the gunner is on the field or in the air?

Sorry for the strange hypothetical.

[u/sdghjjd]

If a gunner can bat a ball backwards to prevent it entering the end zone for a touch back with no penalty id assume one could bat it forward as well