Can you avoid a rouge by punting the ball back out of the end zone?

Question

I am an American who played in the CFL; It was late (closing seconds) it a close game. I remember that Hamilton punted the ball into the endzone and we proceeded to punt the ball back out of the endzone to avoid the rouge. Time ran out and we won. Did I remember this correctly? I was just learning the rules and when this happened I was throroughly confused. Is that possible? Can a team avoid the rouge in that fashion?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Punt returner must run ball (or kick it out of end zone or concede a single point (rouge). The rule on unsuccessful field goals is similar in all these respects.

For example...

The kicking team is trying to punt for a single point. The punt goes deep into the end zone (which in Canada is 20 yards deep). The receiving team will have its 2 or 3 best punters in the end zone as the kick receivers, because the receiving team is allowed to punt the ball back out of the end zone, thus avoiding the single point. Usually they try to angle the punt out of bounds if time has expired.

Source(s):

http://www.stampeders.com/fan_guide/football_101/cfl_nfl/

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_points_you_get_for_CFL_football

Answer 2

I believe you can. I know as long as you get the ball out of the end zone you won't take the penalty, as long as it's legal. I've never heard of that being done before, but an offence can punt the ball. I'm unsure of the legality of a return team doing it though.

Answer 3

Yes. Any player can kick the ball at any time. The ball has to become dead in the endzone after being kicked in or hit something across the dead line after being kicked (to be a rouge). Your memory serves correct!

Answer 4

You can punt the ball at any point in the game, you just always have to remember that the cover team must always give 5 yards. And you lose possession if you do that.