A Fumble Football Results in a Change of Possession
In the game of football, when a ball is fumbled, several things can happen, including scoring, losing possession of the ball and gaining or losing yardage. Although the results of a fumbled football differ, the excitement caused when it happens does not. A fumbled football can change the tide of a game or thwart the comeback efforts of a team that’s trailing.
Loss of Possession
A fumble occurs when a ball carrier loses control of the football and it falls to the ground or into the air. If a player from the opposing team secures a grasp on the ball, known as a recovery, the opposing team is awarded possession of the ball at the spot the fumble was recovered. The ball does not need to touch the ground to be ruled a fumble. For instance, if a ball carrier is hit by a defender and the ball is jarred lose as a result, the ball could sail into the air and be recovered by a defender before the ball hits the ground. In both situations, the fumble results in a change of possession.
Scoring
Occasionally, a fumbled football results in a score for the defensive team. For example, a fumble recovered by the defense that’s picked up and returned past the offensive team’s goal line is ruled a touchdown and the scoring team is awarded 6 points. Likewise, an offensive player can recover his teammate’s fumble and advance it to the opponent’s end zone for a touchdown. On occasion, a ball is fumbled in or near an offensive unit’s end zone and proceeds to bounce out of the end zone before anyone can recover the fumble. In these instances, a safety is called and 2 points are awarded to the defensive team.
Gained or Lost Yardage
In some instances, a fumbled ball can result in yardage gained or lost for the offensive unit. For instance, a running back loses control of the ball, causing the ball to roll forward 5 yards before his teammate recovers the fumble. In this situation, the offense retains possession of the ball at the point of the fumble recovery, gaining 5 yards in the process. As far as game statistics go, the 5 yards gained is categorized as team rushing yards. If the fumbled ball rolls backward 5 yards and a teammate recovers, the same result applies, but for a loss of 5 yards instead of a gain.
Considerations
During any play that involves a fumble, the player who fumbled the football is allowed to pick it up Adidas Adipower Predator TRX FG [http://www.hotsoccercleats.org/adidas-soccer-cleats/adidas-adipower-predator-trx-fg.html] and continue running as long as his knee does not touch the ground. Sometimes, a fumbled ball is lost in a pile of players who are all trying to gain control of the ball. In these situations, referees may have a difficult time determining which team has recovered the ball, making it a judgment call instead of a clear-cut call. It’s not uncommon for the player who actually makes the recovery to lose control of the ball to an opposing player who takes the ball away from him during pile-up situations.
Loss of Possession
A fumble occurs when a ball carrier loses control of the football and it falls to the ground or into the air. If a player from the opposing team secures a grasp on the ball, known as a recovery, the opposing team is awarded possession of the ball at the spot the fumble was recovered. The ball does not need to touch the ground to be ruled a fumble. For instance, if a ball carrier is hit by a defender and the ball is jarred lose as a result, the ball could sail into the air and be recovered by a defender before the ball hits the ground. In both situations, the fumble results in a change of possession.
Scoring
Occasionally, a fumbled football results in a score for the defensive team. For example, a fumble recovered by the defense that’s picked up and returned past the offensive team’s goal line is ruled a touchdown and the scoring team is awarded 6 points. Likewise, an offensive player can recover his teammate’s fumble and advance it to the opponent’s end zone for a touchdown. On occasion, a ball is fumbled in or near an offensive unit’s end zone and proceeds to bounce out of the end zone before anyone can recover the fumble. In these instances, a safety is called and 2 points are awarded to the defensive team.
Gained or Lost Yardage
In some instances, a fumbled ball can result in yardage gained or lost for the offensive unit. For instance, a running back loses control of the ball, causing the ball to roll forward 5 yards before his teammate recovers the fumble. In this situation, the offense retains possession of the ball at the point of the fumble recovery, gaining 5 yards in the process. As far as game statistics go, the 5 yards gained is categorized as team rushing yards. If the fumbled ball rolls backward 5 yards and a teammate recovers, the same result applies, but for a loss of 5 yards instead of a gain.
Considerations
During any play that involves a fumble, the player who fumbled the football is allowed to pick it up Adidas Adipower Predator TRX FG [http://www.hotsoccercleats.org/adidas-soccer-cleats/adidas-adipower-predator-trx-fg.html] and continue running as long as his knee does not touch the ground. Sometimes, a fumbled ball is lost in a pile of players who are all trying to gain control of the ball. In these situations, referees may have a difficult time determining which team has recovered the ball, making it a judgment call instead of a clear-cut call. It’s not uncommon for the player who actually makes the recovery to lose control of the ball to an opposing player who takes the ball away from him during pile-up situations.
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