The receiving team on a kickoff or punt is always entitled to an unobstructed attempt to catch the ball in its initial flight, before it is touched by a player or it hits the ground. ... If the ball is not caught, then the fair catch is void and all other rules on kicked balls apply.
Can you call a fair catch on a drop kick?
After a fair catch, an NFL team has the right to take a free kick from the line of scrimmage on the next play. ... The kicking team may not use a tee. The ball must be placed or drop-kicked . Even if time expired on the preceding play, the fair-catching team may still attempt the kick.
What is an illegal fair catch?
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.
Can you call a fair catch in the end zone?
Note: A receiver may make or be awarded a fair catch in his end zone. If there is fair-catch interference or illegal contact with the receiver after he has made a fair catch, the 15-yard penalty is enforced from the receiver’s 20-yard line, and the option for a fair-catch kick is awarded.
What happens if you fair catch a kickoff?
So why do teams call for a fair catch on a kickoff? In college football, calling for a fair catch will automatically start the drive on the 25-yard line . The returner must catch the football inside of the 25-yard line for it to be automatically placed on the 25-yard line.
What happens if you call a fair catch and drop it?
If the receiver fails to give a proper signal (hand raised above helmet but not waved side to side), the receiving team is penalized 5 yards from the spot of the signal for an invalid fair catch signal, a fair catch is not awarded, and the receiver is not protected from being tackled.
Can a punt returner kick the ball?
After signaling for a fair catch, the punt returner can’t advance the ball . ... After he touches it or loses control and the ball hits the ground, either team is allowed to recover the ball. If the returner muffs a kick, or fails to gain possession, the punting team may not advance the ball if they recover it.
Is a fair catch in the endzone a safety?
If a kick is fielded by the receiving team in its end zone, is advanced beyond the goal line, and then the ball carrier retreats back into his own end zone where the ball is downed, it is a safety . ... In college football, any kickoff that ends in a fair catch by the receiving team inside its own 25-yard line.
How do you catch a kickoff?
- Elbows in.
- Track the ball all the way in with your eyes.
- Keep your shoulders square to the football.
- Catch the football with staggered feet and be prepared to run.
- Secure the football first!
How do you get a kickoff?
During kickoffs, the kicker must take control and command of the team. To make a successful kickoff, the first step is to place the ball on the tee to your liking . Next, turn away from the ball and take five steps straight back and two steps to the right if you’re right-footed or to the left if you’re left-footed.
Can kicking team recover kickoff?
Members of the kicking team can recover the ball after the kick travels 10 yards or the ball touches an opponent . The receiving team gets the ball on its own 35-yard line if the kickoff goes out of bounds before reaching the end zone.
How many points is a fair catch kick?
The kick must be either a place kick or a drop kick, and if it passes over the crossbar and between the goalposts of the opposing team’s goal, a field goal, worth three points , is awarded to the kicking team. The fair catch kick is considered to be an obscure rule and it is rarely attempted.
Does a fair catch stop the clock?
In the NFL, teams get two timeouts in a preseason or regular season overtime period, or three in a postseason overtime half. On a fair-catch punt, the clock starts at the snap and stops at the end of the play.
Can a kicker advance a recovered free kick?
(c) At least four players of the kicking team must be on each side of the kicker . Article 4 The following applies to the catch or recovery of a free kick: (a) If a player of the receiving team catches or recovers the ball, he may advance.
Can a punt be a field goal?
A field goal cannot be scored on a punt kick . By contrast, the now very rarely attempted drop kick
