Today's Tidbit… IFA Rule #30 Punt-On

This is #30 in a series covering football's original 61 rules adopted by the Intercollegiate Football Association in 1876. We review one rule each Friday.

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Last week's Tibit regarding the IFA rules covered the punt-out, which was a punt made from behind the goal line under certain circumstances to gain a more favorable position to attempt a goal after touchdown, now called an extra point. Recall that the punt-out was kicked from behind the goal line or outside the field of play. If a teammate fair caught the punt-out, his team could attempt a free kick on the goal after touchdown.

Rule 30: A punt on is a punt made in a manner similar to a punt-out, and from touch, if necessary, by a player who has made a fair catch from a punt-out or another punt-on.

When the IFA enacted its rules in 1876, the punt-on was already disappearing from some versions of English rugby, and American football soon dropped it as well. However, the Canadians hung onto it for a bit longer. The result of the punt-on's removal from the games is that little information is available about this procedure. So, I'm not sure my explanation is correct, but I'll tell you what I think I know.