After a fumble, kick, or backward pass has been grounded, how can a new force be applied?

The correct answer indicates that a new force can be applied after a fumble, kick, or backward pass has been grounded through actions such as a bat, illegal kick, or a muff. This is important because, in these scenarios, the play is still live even after the ball hits the ground, and players can legally attempt to gain possession or influence the ball's movement.

When a fumble, kick, or backward pass occurs, the ball is still in play until it is possessed or goes out of bounds. If a player bats the ball or performs an illegal kick, these actions can disrupt the normal flow and provide a new force on the ball, which can alter the outcome of the play.

In contrast, other contexts, such as a legal touch or through interference, do not apply in the same manner to a grounded ball. Players must legally possess the ball to initiate certain actions, but the dynamics of a grounded fumble, kick, or pass allow for additional methods of intervention, which is why the identification of bat and illegal kick as valid means of applying new force is crucial for understanding the rules.