Author Topic: NFL Fair Catch Question  (Read 4210 times)

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VALinesman

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NFL Fair Catch Question
« on: December 28, 2010, 10:06:09 AM »
The NF has a rule that addresses an invalid fair catch signal, but it does not appear that the NFL does. I believe it was the Ind game last week where R made a wave just below chest high, and K let up, and R took advantage and scored on the return. I was pretty confused, as I thought that you awarded a fair catch in NF, NCAA and NFL even if the signal was invalid. Does the NCAA rulebook address that issue too?

Offline Etref

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Re: NFL Fair Catch Question
« Reply #1 on: December 28, 2010, 10:41:29 AM »
Here is the NCAA version



Invalid Signals
ARTICLE 3. a. During a down in which a kick is made, no player of Team B shall
make any invalid fair catch signal during a free kick or beyond the neutral zone
during a scrimmage kick. Any signal is invalid after a scrimmage kick is caught
beyond the neutral zone, strikes the ground or touches another player beyond the
neutral zone. A signal is invalid after a free kick is caught, strikes the ground or
touches another player (A.R. 6-5-3-IV-VI).
b. A catch after an invalid signal is not a fair catch, and the ball is dead where
caught. If the signal follows a catch, the ball is dead when the signal is first
given (A.R. 6-5-1-II).
c. Invalid signals beyond the neutral zone apply only to Team B (A.R. 6-5-3-II).
d. An invalid signal beyond the neutral zone is possible only when the ball has
crossed the neutral zone (Rule 2-15-7) (A.R. 6-5-3-I).
" I don't make the rules coach!"

VALinesman

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Re: NFL Fair Catch Question
« Reply #2 on: December 28, 2010, 02:14:19 PM »
Here is the NCAA version



Invalid Signals
ARTICLE 3. a. During a down in which a kick is made, no player of Team B shall
make any invalid fair catch signal during a free kick or beyond the neutral zone
during a scrimmage kick. Any signal is invalid after a scrimmage kick is caught
beyond the neutral zone, strikes the ground or touches another player beyond the
neutral zone. A signal is invalid after a free kick is caught, strikes the ground or
touches another player (A.R. 6-5-3-IV-VI).
b. A catch after an invalid signal is not a fair catch, and the ball is dead where
caught. If the signal follows a catch, the ball is dead when the signal is first
given (A.R. 6-5-1-II).
c. Invalid signals beyond the neutral zone apply only to Team B (A.R. 6-5-3-II).
d. An invalid signal beyond the neutral zone is possible only when the ball has
crossed the neutral zone (Rule 2-15-7) (A.R. 6-5-3-I).




Thank you very much....