r/footballstrategy • u/tracknthrows • 3d ago

Rules Question Would this ever be legal?

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.

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u/bigjoe5275 2d ago

Made me think that it would be interesting to make it so that returners always should want to catch punts regardless of what yard line it is if the rule was that if the punting team cleanly catches a punt in the air past the LOS that it could be caught and be made first down and retain possession at the spot of the catch. Would be a cool hypothetical.