Partially blocked

I guess you have to define "blocked punt" before you can attempt to decide whether one can be partially blocked.

What is a blocked punt?

 

"Punt, Bama, Punt" = blocked

Joe Microphone says, "Johnny Dangerously got his fingertips on the ball and it sailed left of the goalposts to prevent Bumfuck High from winning the game!" = deflected or tipped (because it still sailed, but was off its intended trajectory)

 

A kick that doesn't go beyond the line of scrimmage.

 

You might need to be more specific. Your definition also includes a really bad shank.

 

A kick deflected by the defense that doesn't go beyond the line of scrimmage.

 

And a "near miss" is, by definition, a hit, right?

 

A near miss is a miss.

 

No, it isn't.

 

"Partially blocked" is correct only in referring to Jonesy's colon.

And a "near miss" is a semi-plausible transvestite.

 

Chicken anyone? I have some post-thread chicken if anyone's interested.

Fingers or legs. Legs are easier to carry and wave when you're arguing.

 

blocked means the path of the ball is stopped completely by someone's hand, arm, etc. If it goes beyond the player once hit, I'd use deflected.

 

Merriam-Webster begs to differ:

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/nearmiss