Fair Catch Mechanics

[Snake~eyes]

What are the mechanics for the deep man in a three man crew? Is the official suppose to give a verbal or hand signal that a fair catch was called? etcetc.

thanx

[Warrenkicker]

First mechanic would be to find a 4th official.

No you don't give any signal that a fair catch was called. Once you see a fair catch signal given while the ball is in the air you know that the player and only the player who signaled is provided protection from being contacted after catching the ball. All other players on that team are allowed to catch the ball with no protection unless they also signal. The ball becomes dead as soon as anyone possesses it. It is the responsibility of the kicking team players to know if there was a signal.

The NF mechanics for 3-man are at the following site http://www.nfhs.org/PDF/Football/ThreeOfficials.pdf in case you didn't know.

[Snake~eyes]

I have one more thing.

R1 calls fair catch. If R1 muffs the ball in his hands but still has a chance of catching it(ball never makes contact with the ground) and K1 hits him, do you flag it? At what point do you call/not call kick catching interference?

Does that make sense?

[AndrewMcCarthy]

See thread entitled "muff or bobble" from a couple weeks ago.

[Huskerblue]

I have a question regarding punts. Say its 4th and 10. K punts the ball and R muffs it (does not gain full possession)and K recovers. Do you start the clock on the Ready or on the snap?

[WVREF]

NF. Any time you have a new series after a legal (does not mean foul- free) kick you start the clock on the snap, no matter which team has the new series.