Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles
available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. A fumble in
American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession
and control of the ball, drops the ball. By rule, it is any act other
than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of
player possession. A fumble may be forced by a defensive player who
either grabs or punches the ball or butts the ball with his helmet (a
move called "tackling the ball"). A fumbled ball may be recovered and
advanced by either team (except, in American football, after the
two-minute warning in either half or 4th down, when the fumbling player
is the only offensive player allowed to advance the ball, otherwise the
ball is ruled dead at the spot of recovery if the ball bounces backwards
or spotted at the point of the fumble if the ball travels forward). It
is one of three events that can cause a turnover (the other two being an
interception or turnover on downs), where possession of the ball can
change during play.
