Correct me if Im wrong but isnt thr defense supposed to stop the guy with the ball? I mean, Im no expert or anything...
Our brand of football here in North America is highly nuanced game and it can easily get confusing for those not familiar with the game. I assumed, since you came on to this bbs to engage in conversation about the football game last night, that you were probably aware of the rules. That was silly and insensitive of me. I apologize.
In the game of football in the USA and Canada, the punt team would punt the ball to the punt return team. After the punt, which causes a change of possession, that same punt team attempts to tackle punt returner. It actually occurs during the very same play; there is not a stoppage of play. These punt plays, as well as kickoff plays and field goal/extra point plays are often referred to as special teams plays. But the key here, the one thing that I hope you take away from this little primer, is that at no time does the defense come on to the field to try to stop the punt returner/punt return team. That duty is the SOLE responsibility of the punt team.