Other Definitions
touchback (dict)
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TouchbackIn American football, a touchback is a play which occurs when the ball crosses into or through the end zone not in control of the team which put it into play. Kickoffs into the end zone which are fielded but not returned and punts which enter the end zone result in a touchback. Also, a touchback results when a ball carrier fumbles the ball within the field of play and the ball is either not recovered prior to crossing the end line and being out of play or is recovered in the end zone by the defensive team. Additionally, if the defensive team intercepts a forward pass in the end zone, and then makes no effort to return the pass, a touchback is awarded. In standard outdoor American football, the team awarded the touchback receives possession of the ball at its own 20-yard line. In arena football, and other indoor football games, a touchback results in the team awarded the touchback receiving the football at its own five-yard line; this can result from any of the above events except for punting, which is not a part of arena football. (In arena football, a kicked ball usually bounces back into play off of the rebound nets, but the above can still occur when the ball lands in the slack nets behind the goalposts after a kickoff, and in the event of fumbles and interceptions.) In Canadian football, the failure to advance a kicked ball out of the goal area results in a single point or rouge being scored by the kickers, as well as possession by the receivers at their 35-yard line. A turn-over by fumble or interception in the defense's goal area results in a scrimmage on the 25-yard line with no points awarded. In the Canadian game the term touchback is not used. A special rule applies in American college football and in the National Football League with regard to field goal attempts. If a missed field goal occurs in these leagues, where the other team receives possession of the ball depends on the spot from which the ball has been kicked. The ball will be placed either on the twenty or the line of scrimmage of the play in which the attempt was made in college football; either the twenty or the place from which the ball was kicked in the NFL. The purpose of this rule is to discourage low-percentage, long-range field goal attempts and to deemphasize the advantage which can accrue when only one team has a kicker who has a reasonable possibility of success from a great distance. In American high school football, the missed field goal, regardless of where attempted on the field, results in a touchback as long as the attempt breaks the plane of the goal line.
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