Editing Fumble (section)

===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>