What is the purpose of fair catch?

A player wishing to make a fair catch signals his intent by extending one arm above his head and waving it while the kicked ball is in flight. The main reason for a fair catch is to protect the receiver.

What is NFL fair catch rule?

A Fair Catch is an unhindered catch of an airborne scrimmage kick that has crossed the line of scrimmage, or of an airborne free kick, by a player of the receiving team who has given a valid fair catch signal.

Can a fair catch bounce?

No. They can’t advance the ball once a fair catch is called. Furthermore, if a fair catch is called by anyone, the punt can’t be returned by any other player.

When did fair catch rule start in NFL?

1921
The Green Bay Packers back in 1921 made the first successful fair catch in NFL.

Can you fake a fair catch?

The fair catch rule is designed to protect defenseless punt returners from being crushed. If you’re faking a fair catch to get the defense to surrender and stop from hitting you, that’s an abuse of a rule that’s meant to protect a defenseless player who truly deserves to be protected. A player should benefit from that.

Can you push a player into a fair catch?

It will be called in the event that a member of the kicking team pushes a teammate of the receiver into them, creating deliberate contact. A variation of this penalty can also be called even if the receiver has not made a fair catch signal.

When was the fair catch rule implemented in the NFL?

Curly Lambeau made the first successful fair catch kick in NFL history, for the Green Bay Packers in 1921.

Can you fair catch a kick that hits the ground?

The player who signaled for a fair catch must have a reasonable opportunity to catch the muffed ball before it hits the ground without interference by members of the kicking team, and regardless of whether the ball strikes another player or an official.

Who kicks off after a safety?

After a safety is scored in American football, the ball is kicked off to the team that scored the safety from the 20-yard line; in Canadian football, the scoring team also has the options of taking control of the ball at their own 35-yard line or kicking off the ball, also at their own 35-yard line.

Can you fair catch a squib kick?

The directional kick might not be as prevalent because returners who get pinned deep along the sideline can take a fair catch to get out of trouble. “The thing that’s going to be interesting is how often people now are going to use squib kicks?” Penn State coach James Franklin said. They can’t fair catch.

Can the punting team catch the ball in the air?

Yes, when punting the punter himself as well as any of his teammates have the option to catch the ball. Though when a punt is caught by the punting team they do not remain in possession of the ball.

What is illegal fair catch signal?

An invalid fair catch signal is when the player signaling for a fair catch does not fully extend his arm above his head. If the players arm is flexed, an invalid fair catch penalty will be called and the ball will be marked down at the spot of the invalid fair catch and then assessed a five yard penalty.

What is fair catch interference?

Sporting Charts explains Fair Catch Interference. The fair catch rule was put into place to protect receivers, as they are often unable to both field the ball and avoid the hit. When a defensive player hits a receiver who has called fair catch, that player will receive a personal foul and a 15-yard penalty.

What is fair catch signal?

The fair catch signal can be used as a legal form of deception: If the receiver has no intention of actually fielding the ball, but wishes it to roll into the end zone for a touchback, he may signal for a fair catch in front of where the ball will land, making the kicking team think it will not reach the end zone.

What is a fair catch in college football?

A fair catch of a punt in American football. A fair catch is a feature of American football and several other codes of football, in which a player attempting to catch a ball kicked by the opposing team – either on a kickoff or punt – is entitled to catch the ball without interference from any member of the kicking team.