The Official Forum  

Go Back   The Official Forum > Football
Register FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old Tue Aug 26, 2008, 06:59pm
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,130
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike L
LJDave,
See rule 6-5-3
While looking at 6-5-3 you must also review 6-5-6 as while a receiver who gives a fair catch signal is afforded protection a receiver who has not given a fair catch signal must be afforded the opportunity to catch the ball.
__________________
Ed Hickland, MBA, CCP
[email protected]
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old Wed Aug 27, 2008, 09:15am
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,593
The concept of the Fair Catch is simple, R forfeits their right to advance the ball in return for an unmolested opportunity to complete the catch. The decision if, and when, to invoke that arrangement is ENTIRELY up to R.

R announces their decision to make a Fair Catch, by giving a valid signal, which by definition suggests it should be visible, timely and meet the requirements of a defined valid signal. Most officials understand that a last second signal, technically valid or invalid, may not bind a defensive player to the requirements of a valid Fair Catch, if in the judgment of that official, the defense was not given a reasonable opportunity to respond to the signal.

By rule we are required to stop play when an invalid signal has been given, even though the rule clearly states protection is no afforded. As for contact after such a signal has been given, the basic principle is simply whether the signal, which evidently did not meet the requirements of a valid FC signal, conveyed a message to the defense that a Fair Catch was intended AND was, whatever signal offered, given with enough warning that the defensive player had a reasonable opportunity to respond to it.

Splitting hairs regarding miliseconds between the catch, the whistle and the contact is not the objective. The defensive player is entitled, if not required, to contact the receiver of a kick as soon as possible AFTER the catch. The FC signal, valid or invalid, has to be clear enough to announce the intention of making a FC with enough opportunity for a defensive player, bearing down on the receiver, to recognize the signal and respond to it.

When the receiver fails to deliver a valid signal, or any signal without enough advanced warning for the defense to properly respond to it, the fault lies directly with the receiver, whose penalty may well be the contact he could have avoided by signalling properly.
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old Wed Aug 27, 2008, 11:00am
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 566
Quote:
Originally Posted by ajmc
The concept of the Fair Catch is simple, R forfeits their right to advance the ball in return for an unmolested opportunity to complete the catch. The decision if, and when, to invoke that arrangement is ENTIRELY up to R.
Not true, R is given an umolested opportunity to make a catch with or without a fair catch signal. That is why we have a kick catch interference rule. What the fair catch signal means is R is giving up his right to advance the ball after the catch and in return he gets protection from being hit after said catch.

Last edited by Mike L; Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 11:02am.
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old Wed Aug 27, 2008, 10:55am
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 566
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed Hickland
While looking at 6-5-3 you must also review 6-5-6 as while a receiver who gives a fair catch signal is afforded protection a receiver who has not given a fair catch signal must be afforded the opportunity to catch the ball.
I think that is 2 different subjects.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
team control signal for NFHS zebraman Basketball 28 Wed Oct 11, 2006 09:51am
NFHS Officials Signal #2? officialtony Volleyball 7 Thu Aug 25, 2005 12:35pm
NFHS Signal Chart Ref in PA Basketball 9 Mon Aug 22, 2005 12:44pm
invalid fair catch parepat Football 17 Mon Oct 11, 2004 11:05am
NFHS Punt doesn't cross NZ FredFan7 Football 13 Fri Jul 16, 2004 05:55pm


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:32am.



Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.3.0 RC1