Fair Catch Question

[Spence]

A1 and A2 are back to receive a punt. A1 signals a fair catch but the ball bounces over his head where A2 picks it up and advances the ball.

Penalty? Legal?

[JRutledge]

Well the play is dead when A gets possession of the ball. Now it is only a penalty if the advancing you suggest means the player just takes off running far away from the possession. That is a delay of game penalty, but I think should only be called if it is really bad. If he just simply takes a couple of steps and stops once he realizes the play is dead, then I will do whatever I can to not be so technical. A2 might not realize that his teammate gave a FC signal. I equate this to not handing the ball to the official after the play is over or not setting the ball down in the spot you were tackled or the ball was dead. It has to be really bad IMO.

Peace

[WestCoaster]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Well the play is dead when A gets possession of the ball. Now it is only a penalty if the advancing you suggest means the player just takes off running far away from the possession. That is a delay of game penalty, but I think should only be called if it is really bad. If he just simply takes a couple of steps and stops once he realizes the play is dead, then I will do whatever I can to not be so technical. A2 might not realize that his teammate gave a FC signal. I equate this to not handing the ball to the official after the play is over or not setting the ball down in the spot you were tackled or the ball was dead. It has to be really bad IMO.

Peace

^Agree^

[Forksref]

I always tell our guys as part of our pre-game that once a fair catch signal is given, either valid or invalid, there will be NO return of any kind, either by R or K should there be a muff.

[bkdow]

Was it muffed or did it just hit the ground? If it hit the ground, can the R player advance?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bkdow

Was it muffed or did it just hit the ground? If it hit the ground, can the R player advance?

Neither.

[bkdow]

How can it be neither. Did the ball end up on the ground?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bkdow

How can it be neither. Did the ball end up on the ground?

Doesn't matter. It can't be advanced in either situation.

Once R signals for a fair catch at any time during the down, neither team will ever be able to advance the kick, regardless of whether it hit the ground before or after the signal.

[maven]

Originally Posted by Rich

Once R signals for a fair catch at any time during the down, neither team will ever be able to advance the kick, regardless of whether it hit the ground before or after the signal.

Exactly, and the word that many novice officials miss is "the kick." Until it's possessed, it's a kick, and neither team may advance it. Once possessed by either team, it's dead by rule, so still no advance possible.

[ChickenOfNC]

Originally Posted by Rich

Doesn't matter. It can't be advanced in either situation.

Once R signals for a fair catch at any time during the down, neither team will ever be able to advance the kick, regardless of whether it hit the ground before or after the signal.

Kick bounds behind the NZ where a K player picks up and advances.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by ChickenOfNC

Kick bounds behind the NZ where a K player picks up and advances.

The exception that proves the rule.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Rich

The exception that proves the rule.

You are absolutely correct in NCAA.