Quote:
Originally Posted by dave30
I'm a basketball referee with a football question.
What is the rule if a player calls for a fair catch, but doesn't catch it until after it hits the ground. Is the punting team allowed to hit the return man?
High school rule needed.
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The short answer is, "it all depends".
The NFHS rule is 6-5. NFHS Case Book 6.5.2.Situation 2 offers some detail answering your question. Examples relating to
"after R1 gives a valid FC signal he muffs the kick into the air; (b) K2 pushes R1 in an attempt to reach the ball (Ruling: The contact on R1 by K2 is legal because K may retain possession following the muff by R1.)
(c) K3 tackles R1 following the muff, preventing R1 from catching the kick (Ruling: it is a holding foul for K3 to tackle R1 following the muff, thus preventing him from reaching the ball.)
(d) R1 is blocked below the waist by K4 and K5 recovers (Ruling: The block by K4 is illegal).
The key is that under the NFHS rule code, the added protection provided by the Fair Catch signal applies, when the kick is
caught.(NF: 6-5-6)