Editing Fumble (section)

==Play during fumbles==
[[File:Peach Bowl fumble aftermath.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Officials sort out possession after a fumble at the [[2006 Chick-fil-A Bowl]] between [[2006 Georgia Bulldogs football team|Georgia]] and [[2006 Virginia Tech Hokies football team|Virginia Tech]].]]
Since footballs tend to bounce in unpredictable ways, particularly on [[artificial turf]], attempting to recover and advance a fumbled ball is risky even for those with good manual [[coordination (physiology)|coordination]]. Coaches at lower levels of the game usually therefore prefer that players, particularly those such as interior [[Lineman (football)|linemen]] who do not normally handle the ball in the course of play, simply fall on the ball. Gaining or retaining possession is more important in most situations than attempting to advance the ball and possibly score, and there have been many instances where those attempting to do so have wound up fumbling the ball back to the other team.

Recovering and advancing a fumble is also made difficult, and potentially injurious, by the effect on play. Since neither team is on offense or defense while the ball remains loose, there are no restrictions on the type of contact allowed as long as all players are making legitimate efforts to recover it. A loose ball has been described as the only situation in football where the rules are suspended.{{Citation needed|date=October 2007}}

If the ball remains loose, every player on the field will eventually gravitate towards it, increasing the chaos around it. Spectators relish the suspense. Some players, particularly [[offensive lineman|offensive linemen]], have a reputation for taking advantage of the situation to do things to opponents that would otherwise draw penalties, since the [[official]]s' attention is necessarily focused on the ball and away from the players trying to get to it. Most commonly, players will "pile on" opponents already down trying to recover the ball. Some NFL players also report that pokes in the eyes, pinches or other abuse is common in post-fumble pileups, conduct which has sometimes led to confrontations, fights or even brawls.<!-- ref name="Anything Goes">Stier, Kit; September 22, 2004; [http://www.thejournalnews.com/scenes/092204.htm. Behind the Scenes:The Fumble Follies]; ''Rockland Journal News''</ref -->

The usual aftermath of a fumble, at every level of play, is a pile of players, many still squirming diligently despite the [[whistle]], surrounded by teammates pointing upfield (the hand signal for a [[down (football)|first down]]) while the officials slowly extricate them in an effort to determine who has won possession. If two different players have hands on the ball, it is often a judgement call on the officials' part as to which team gets it. In the NFL and CFL this has often been the occasion for coaches to call for a review of the [[instant replay]].

Fumbles recovered for touchdowns in the end zone are often the only way offensive linemen score points.

===Proper fumble recovery===
The most obvious way to recover a loose football would be to fall [[prone position|prone]] atop it and cradle it between both arms against the [[abdomen]]. Amateur players are seen doing this all the time, particularly when playing [[Touch football (American)|touch football]], and it can even be seen in professional contests.

However, coaches tell players not to do this in game situations if at all possible, since not only is the ball likely to squirt loose again once other players pile on, there is also a possibility of injury, such as a [[ruptured spleen]], from the ball being driven into the soft organs with great force.

Instead, players are taught to fall on their sides and augment their cradling with a [[thigh]] and upper body, if possible. This greatly reduces both the chance of losing the ball and the potential for injury (at least from the ball).

Fumbles cannot be recovered with any body part that does not also involve at least one of the recovering player's arms.

Coaches are also increasingly encouraging their players to use the "scoop and score" method of picking it up and attempting to return it for a [[touchdown]].<ref name="TMQ">[[Gregg Easterbrook|Easterbrook, Gregg]], October 11, 2005, [https://web.archive.org/web/20060107233538/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/8952293 Tuesday Morning Quarterback], NFL.com</ref>