American Football: can an offensive player punt at any time?

I have this question: Can an offensive play, any down, start as a regular down, and then the offensive team punt? For example, a team lines up for a run or pass play. The center snaps the ball to the QB, and then the QB either punt it himself or pass it back for somebody else to punt. Is that legal?

I'm not talking about how smart (or stupid) this is - just if it's legal.

i believe that it is, would be a "quick kick" used to see it on third down plays once in a while

Suppose a team 'faked' a regular pass or run play on 2nd down and punted it (as described above), do they forefit 3rd and 4th down as a result?

Yeah. Once you punt the ball, you forfeit possession.


BTW, Welcome to Sportz!!





[Edited on 3-15-2005 by ProudAmerican]

sure, if you punt the ball you are turning over possesion...you would lose the ball but the element of suprise might give you great field position

didn't that happen in some game this past season

i don't recall it happening last season but i may be wrong, it can be a pretty useful play, if a team has third and a mile to go, a suprise kick can catch the defense napping with no chance of a return, can turn out to be a big plus in the field position battle