- Punts in the CFL are more important than in the NFL, as they can give a team one point under the proper conditions.
- Teams can perform the “onside punt” to get a fresh set of downs at any point in the game so long as the player kicking is onside and kicks the ball beyond the line of scrimmage.
- The longest CFL punt recorded was 108 yards by Zenon Andrusyshyn of the Toronto Argonauts in 1977.
While punts in leagues like the NFL may spell the end of a possession for a team, this play can severely impact CFL betting.
This can sometimes be the deciding factor for football bets, given the setup of the rules for punts.
Today, you can bet on the CFL at the BetMGM online sportsbook.
Below, you’ll learn more about the punt in the CFL, including how teams can get a fresh set of downs and earn points.
Is There Punting in the CFL?
Yes, there is punting in the CFL, and it’s often more important than it is in the NFL.
In the CFL, there’s a unique scoring rule called the rouge, which awards one point if a punted ball goes into the opponent’s end zone and is not returned out. A rouge in Canadian football can be scored if the returner is tackled in the end zone, downs the ball, or if the ball goes out of bounds in the end zone after landing in play.
There’s also more strategic depth to punting in the CFL beyond the rouge.
If a player punts the ball behind the line of scrimmage and an onside player recovers it beyond the line of scrimmage, the kicking team retains possession and receives a fresh set of downs.
That’s why you may occasionally see a trick play where, for example, a receiver catches a lateral or pass, punts the ball forward a yard or two, and then recovers it. This is considered an “onside punt.”
ONSIDE PUNT IN THE CFL pic.twitter.com/3MRzcA18JM
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) September 30, 2023
Also, the punter and any players behind the ball at the time of the kick are considered onside. These players are eligible to recover the punt and can advance it from wherever it’s recovered.
Can a Punter Recover a Punt in the CFL?
Yes. A punter can recover his own punt in the CFL. They’re automatically considered onside. So, if they punt the ball, it advances beyond the line of scrimmage, and they recover it, it’ll be a fresh set of downs from wherever the punter is downed.
What Is the Longest CFL Punt?
In 1977, Zenon Andrusyshyn of the Toronto Argonauts recorded the longest punt in league history, going for 108 yards.
