<P> Other possible results include the punt being blocked behind the line of scrimmage, and the ball being touched, but not caught or possessed, downfield by the receiving team . In both cases the ball is then "free" and "live" and will belong to whichever team recovers it . </P> <Ul> <Li> If the kicked ball is blocked and fails to cross the line of scrimmage, it may be picked up and advanced by either team . However, if it is picked up by the kicking team, the play is treated as any other play from scrimmage; i.e., if it is the team's final down, it must advance the ball beyond the first down marker in order to avoid a turnover on downs . </Li> <Li> The official rules regulate when and how the receiving team may hit the kicker before, during, and after the kick . </Li> <Li> If the receiving team drops the ball or touches the ball beyond the line of scrimmage without catching it then it is considered a live ball and may be recovered by either team . If the receiving team never had full possession, it is considered to be a muffed punt rather than a fumble . However, the receiving player must be actively pursuing the ball . If the receiving player is blocked into the ball, it is not considered "touching" the ball . </Li> <Li> A field goal cannot be scored on a punt kick . </Li> </Ul> <Li> If the kicked ball is blocked and fails to cross the line of scrimmage, it may be picked up and advanced by either team . However, if it is picked up by the kicking team, the play is treated as any other play from scrimmage; i.e., if it is the team's final down, it must advance the ball beyond the first down marker in order to avoid a turnover on downs . </Li> <Li> The official rules regulate when and how the receiving team may hit the kicker before, during, and after the kick . </Li>

If a punt is blocked is the ball live