NCAA: Fair Catch

[DJ_NV]

Is there any scenario during a free or scrimmage kick where B gives a valid or invalid fair catch signal and the ball does not become dead when possessed by B? I believe that fair catch rules (and therefore signals) don't apply if the ball does not cross the NZ, but then neither do most of the SK provisions, correct?

[Theisey]

Unlike under NF rules, fair catch rules for NCAA apply on a scrimmage kick only if the kicked ball crosses the NZ.

[Sonofanump]

I have never thought about this scenario before for NFHS, but, what if (our favorite question from rules meetings) A/K kicks the ball, B/R sees that the ball is going to not cross the neutral zone so he signals for a fair catch so that the ball becomes dead if A/K catches it. Is the fair catch signal valid?

[ljudge]

Originally Posted by Sonofanump

I have never thought about this scenario before for NFHS, but, what if (our favorite question from rules meetings) A/K kicks the ball, B/R sees that the ball is going to not cross the neutral zone so he signals for a fair catch so that the ball becomes dead if A/K catches it. Is the fair catch signal valid?

The ball would NOT become dead if A/K catches behind the NZ in fed ball.

And, in NCAA ball the ball will remain life if A catches the ball behind the NZ so long as B didn't touch it beyond the NZ first.

And, as I understand it in NCAA ball if B gives a valid signal and catches it behind the NZ the ball does NOT become dead (4-1-3 g) and he may still advance.

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by Sonofanump

I have never thought about this scenario before for NFHS, but, what if (our favorite question from rules meetings) A/K kicks the ball, B/R sees that the ball is going to not cross the neutral zone so he signals for a fair catch so that the ball becomes dead if A/K catches it. Is the fair catch signal valid?

REPLY: By (Federation) definitions 2-9-3 and 2-9-4a, the signal is certainly valid, but as ljudge pointed out, if A/K catches the kick behind the neutral zone, the ball does remain live with the opportunity for A/K to advance. If B/R caught it behind the neutral zone (after signaling), the ball would be dead (see NF 4-2-2g), but it would not be a fair catch. [Note to THeisey: Remember this one Tom?]

[Sonofanump]

Wait, this got me thinking. 2-9-1 says "in or beyond the NZ". So it would not be fair catch for B/R but the ball would be dead?

[Theisey]

Originally Posted by Bob M.

REPLY: ... [Note to THeisey: Remember this one Tom?]

Its like that robot in the Terminator... it just keep comings back at you.

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by Sonofanump

Wait, this got me thinking. 2-9-1 says "in or beyond the NZ". So it would not be fair catch for B/R but the ball would be dead?

REPLY: In a word...Yes.