re: A rule I never understood and would like to see changed

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If a punt hits the ground and hits a member of the receiving team, the ball is live and can be recovered by the kicking team. This circumstance is as if the return team had possession of the ball and fumbled.

I can understand if the punt returner muffed the punt but not if it bounces off a blocker's leg while his back is to the ball. How is that considered a "fumble" when there is no real possession change or an attempt to field the ball?

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What's the alternative? Ball is dead when it hits the ground?

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I think the ball should be dead at the point of contact with possession going to the punt return team.

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That's terrible... then you give the refs a judgment call on whether a guy was trying to field the punt or down it for the receiving team.