ENRUES
Glossary

Punt

Terms

What it is

A punt is a kick the offense uses on fourth down when it cannot get a first down and is too far from the goal for a field goal. The punter drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground, so that it flies far down the field and the other team has to start its drive a long way from the end zone.

In a game

On fourth down the long snapper throws the ball back about 14 yards to the punter. Two fast players called gunners race down the sidelines to tackle the returner as soon as he catches it. A good punt travels about 45 yards. The receiving team can catch it and run, call a fair catch, or let it bounce.

More detail

A punter wants hang time as much as distance. A high kick stays in the air long enough for his teammates to get downfield. Near the goal line, he may kick toward the sideline so the ball goes out of bounds near the corner, a trick known as the coffin corner. If a punt goes into the end zone and stays there, it is a touchback and the ball is placed on the 20-yard line. A punt can also be blocked, which is a big swing in the game.

Animated play

101020203030404050504040303020201010END ZONEEND ZONEXXXXX4th down: time to puntAbout 45 yards in the airTackled: short returnFourth down and the offense is far from the goal.The snap goes back to the punter.He kicks it high and far, before it can touch the ground.The returner catches it as the coverage team arrives.The play ends where he is tackled, and the other team takes over.

Blue circles are the team with the ball. X marks the other team. The yellow oval is the ball.

  1. On fourth down, with too far to go and too far from the goal for a field goal, the offense punts.
  2. The long snapper throws the ball back about 14 yards to the punter.
  3. The punter drops it and kicks it before it touches the ground. A good punt flies around 45 yards.
  4. Two fast players called gunners race down the sides to tackle the returner.
  5. The receiving team catches the ball and starts its drive from where the returner is stopped.