Inquiry about the rulebook

[Biggems]

I have long known that it is not a touchdown unless the ball crosses the plane of the goal. I also understand that a player can have all of his body, but his hands over the white line, and it not be a TD, cause the ball didn't cross the plane.

My question is, why doesn't this same rule apply on punting plays? Why can't the player downing the ball be inside the end zone....while keeping the ball out of the end zone to negate a touchback?

 

[Smith22]

Why can't the player downing the ball be inside the end zone....while keeping the ball out of the end zone to negate a touchback?

he can as long as his feet are not touching the ground.