Fair Catch signal question.

[MTUMP]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Yes, common sense should be used. But the problem is that the NCAA said that any signal, for the most part, would kill the play regardless of how the waive took place. And even in that situation the ruling from the NCAA is to just simply kill the play and not give a penalty. The NF has done no such thing, but states might have. So simply waving at shoulder length as if to say, "Getaway" was never illegal or considered an invalid signal. That is why it matters what the state you work in says or suggests and then move forward with that ruling. As usually things that start at other levels do not always come down to the other levels and people conflate the two issues.

Peace

The Case Book 6.5.7 SITUATION B seems to cover this type of action as invalid signal (case c):.....

During a scrimmage kick, R1 signals for a fair catch by: (a) extending and holding one arm above his head; or (b) partially extending and waving one hand in front of his face; or (c) fully extending and laterally waving both hands above his head or in front of the body without extending one hand at arm’s length above his head; or (d) extending and laterally waving one arm at full length above his head.

RULING: The signals in (a), (b) and (c) are invalid. In (d), the signal is valid. Giving an invalid signal is a foul for which the penalty is enforced under the post-scrimmage kick provision.