text: football: when is one allowed to kick the ball? aside from field goals, change of possession... it's my understanding you can also punt the ball during play?  if so what are the rules regarding that?  would a play like this be legal for instance:  team a is kicking off to team b team b lineman hovers around about the line of scrimmage after everyone else is going after the ball/kickoff returner instead of running, kickoff returner quick squib punts the ball near the teammate staying on the line of scrimmage who takes it then to the end zone ? in football, you are allowed to kick when ever you want to.  if you do it will be considered a punt and the other team will gain possesion unless they touch it and you recover it.  you can even punt the ball on a punt return if for some reason you don't want it.