Automatic touchbacks on kicks...

[gindie]

Determined by the location of the ball or the receiver?

[Esso Ayche]

21 minutes ago, gindie said:

Determined by the location of the ball or the receiver?

I believe it is just the ball. If it crosses the vertical plane of the goal line, touchback. The position of the returner is immaterial.

[Irishman]

3 minutes ago, Esso Ayche said:

I believe it is just the ball. If it crosses the vertical plane of the goal line, touchback. The position of the returner is immaterial.

You are correct.....a returner can actually step into the end zone and run as long as the ball is not judged to have crossed that plane. 

[Esso Ayche]

8 minutes ago, Irishman said:

You are correct.....a returner can actually step into the end zone and run as long as the ball is not judged to have crossed that plane. 

I think this came up a year or two ago and it stuck in my head for some reason. I guess since my kid was kicking, that may be why.

[JustRules]

This is one area where NFHS, NCAA, and NFL are all vastly different. NFHS is the simplest. The kick crosses the plane it's a touchback.