il*le*gal touch*ing
What Is The Definition Of Illegal Touching In Football?
Illegal touching occurs when a scrimmage kick takes place and the first team to touch the ball beyond the line of scrimmage is the kicking team. This is deemed to be a violation rather than a foul, so there is no penalty given and the ball remains in play. Illegal touching is not always detrimental to the kicking team, and is sometimes done on purpose to “down the ball.” When illegal touching occurs, the receiving team can choose whether to take possession where the illegal touching occurred or where the ball is dead.
Other instances where illegal touching may occur include on a forward pass (when an ineligible receiver touches a pass first) or a free kick (when a member of the receiving team touches the ball first). In these cases, a 5-yard penalty is typically given.
Examples Of How Illegal Touching Is Used In Commentary
1. After punting the ball downfield, the Titans touched the ball first before the Texans could get to it, forcing the ref to call illegal touching on the play.
Sport The Term Is Used
1. Football
Also Known As:
1. First Touching
