Today's Tidbit… 1876 IFA Rule #3: Punt

This is #3 in a series covering football’s original 61 rules adopted by the Intercollegiate Football Association in 1876. One rule is reviewed each Friday.

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IFA rules #1 and #2 covered the dropkick and place kick, both occurring after the ball touches the ground, while the punt happens before the leather meets the dirt.

Rule 3: A punt is made by letting the ball fall from the hands and kicking it before it hits the ground.

Under the 1876 rules, punts occurred in three situations:

• The punt-out (covered by Rule 29)

• The punt-on (covered by Rule 30), and

• The standard punt during live play.