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National Federation Discussion / Re: Fair Catch
« Last post by ncwingman on March 29, 2024, 02:30:52 PM »Just to play devil's advocate (not HFHS so I don't know the exact verbiage or details of that rulebook):
4/10 @A40.On a scrimmage kick, K86 shanks the ball high and short and straight ahead. R45 signals for fair catch 10 yards downfield while running up to field the ball, and is positioned to catch the ball 3 yards behind the NZ at the A37. Big 'ol Bubba K76 impedes R45's attempt to catch the ball by knocking him to the ground while he is trying to make the catch, and makes obvious, intentional contact with the ball. K32 recovers the kick at the A35 and advances the ball to the EZ.
Ruling?
I had to read that one three times, but sczeebra is right. K gained possession of the ball behind the neutral zone, so they are allowed to recover and advance.
Restrictions on advancing the ball are only limited to R after a valid or invalid signal. K is not allowed to advance a kick recovered beyond the neutral zone under normal circumstances, the fair catch signal doesn't affect this.
Unrelated, but it's unclear which player made "obvious, intentional contact with the ball", but it actually doesn't matter. That has no bearing on this play.