What is a fumble in American Football?

Fumbles can shift momentum, change outcomes, and spark wild scrambles that keep fans on the edge of their seats.

One moment the offense has control, the next it's a mad dash for a loose ball. Fumbles are unpredictable, dramatic, and often game-changing.

DAZN News explains what a fumble really means in the NFL.

What is a fumble?

A fumble happens when a player loses control of the football after having clear possession, usually while running or being tackled. Once the ball comes loose, it’s still in play, and either team can jump on it, which often leads to a chaotic scramble as players on both teams fight to reclaim the ball.

For quarterbacks attempting a pass, if the ball comes loose before the throwing arm makes a forward motion, then that is also classed as a fumble.

Once the throwing arm is moving forward in the motion of a pass, if the ball is dislodged and hits the turf, it is deemed an incomplete pass.

How does a fumble differ from an incomplete pass?

The key difference between an incomplete pass and a fumble is that the defense can win possession of the ball if fumbled.

If a ball is fumbled, whichever team regains possession first will have control of the ball. 

If a pass is incomplete, the play is over, and players will return to the previous line of scrimmage.

Can anyone advance a fumbled ball?

For the most part, yes. But not all the time.

In the final two minutes of each half of an NFL game, if a player on offense fumbles the ball, they are the only player on the team who is allowed to advance with the ball should it be reacquired.

If another player on the offense gathers the fumbled ball, the play is ruled dead at the spot of the fumble.

Click this link for more details about other NFL rules and objectives .

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