Which play is used to exchange possession when the offense punts the ball toward the defensive end?

• A. Kick Return
• B. Field Goal Attempt
• C. Punt
• D. Kickoff

Answer: (C)

Punting is the play used to exchange possession when the offense sends the ball toward the defense on fourth down. A punt kicks the ball away from behind the line of scrimmage to push it downfield, hoping the receiving team can’t advance it or will be tackled quickly, so the ball changes hands to the defense. This is different from a kickoff, which starts a half or after a score, and from a field goal attempt, which is meant to score points rather than transfer possession. A kick return describes the return by the receiving team after a kickoff (and in practice can also include returns after a punt, but the action that actually flips possession here is the punt itself).