What it is

A muffed punt is when the receiving team touches the punt but fails to catch it, and the ball bounces on the ground.

In a game

The kicking team can recover the ball, which gives it possession. The muffed ball is live, so any player may pick it up.

More detail

Returners are trained to call for a fair catch or let the ball go if they cannot handle it. Wind, a low kick and the pressure of the coverage team can all cause a muff.