In American an Canadian football a punt return is one of the punt receiving team's options to respond to a punt. A player (usually a second or third string wide receiver or running back) positioned many yards from the line of scrimmage will attempt to catch or pick up the ball after it is punted by the opposing team's punter. They will then attempt to carry the ball as far as possible back in the direction of the line of scrimmage, without being tackled or running out of bounds. Players may also attempt to lateral the ball to other players on their team, in order to keep the play alive if they expect to be tackled or go out of bounds.