Following a Fumble

This player seems poised to recover the loose ball. If so, will he try to advance it? In that case, the officials will have to observe the blocking by his teammates.

What if he muffs it into the end zone? If the ball goes out of bounds in the end zone or becomes dead in team B’s possession, it’s a safety in NFHS because the muff provided a new force. In NCAA, the initial impetus is not expended, so it would be a touchback under those conditions. In either code, it would be a touchdown for team A if it recovered in the end zone.

It’s possible team A might get another crack at the recovery and possible advancement. In NCAA, if the play occurred on fourth down, the only team A player who could recover and/or advance would be the player who fumbled. If any other team A player recovered, the ball would become dead immediately.

The team in white was driving for a touchdown, but a fumble has created a whole new set of possibilities.

Team B could recover and/or advance just as in any other play. In NFHS, anyone could recover and/or advance.

If the defender recovered the ball, momentum could carry him into his own end zone. If the ball then became dead in the end zone, team B would begin a new series at the spot of the recovery. Beanbags would already have noted the fumble, but additional bags would have to note the momentum spot.