Fair catch kick - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
One of the most rarely implemented rules in football. Does not exist in college. But can actually play a critical role in offensive strategy near the end of half. It is so rarely used because it requires a combination of several things to be worth-while:
1) There must be a punt (so usually a fourth down) with only a few seconds left.
2) The receiving team must call for and make a fair catch.
and either:
3a) The catch must be close enough to the end zone that the coach is willing to take nearly certain 3 points at the end of the first half rather than a much less likely touchdown, -or-
3b) The receiving team must be down by 3 or fewer points at the end of the game.
I imagine most NFL coaches are reminded that the option exists for their opponent and would either instruct their punter to put the kick out-of-bounds in a situation where a fair-catch kick is likely to be used, or would run a play on 4th down to try to get the yardage and/or run out the clock.
Bottom line: it's an important part of the game balance, but its very nature means it is rarely used and therefore not widely known.