Get Away Signal

[yankeesfan]

i am interested to hear how officials using fed rules handle this same situation? would you kill the play as soon as the player has possession of the ball? would you let the play continue? would like to hear different views on this.

[ajmc]

There are only 3 types of Fair Catch signals defined in the NF code; Valid, Invalid and Illegal. The issue becomes where is the line between valid and invalid, and much as we'd like, it's not a straight line.

The receiver gets to decide when there will be a signal, the kickers are responsible to respect the signal when it's given correctly. Often the issue boils down to was the signal given clear enough to convey the receiver's intention and was it given so that the kicker had a reasonable opportunity to respond to it.

I would suggest that the vast majority of technically invald signals are not flagged because the kickers recognized what the receiver's intent was, and had enough time to properly respond and avoid any contact. Most smart officials are quick to recognize the signal as valid, since the intended message was received by the party it was directed to, and kill the play immediately avoiding most problems.

The difficulty arises when there is contact. Then the technicality of the signal, and the time frame in which it was given, may be held to a more precise level and a judgment has to be made whether the signal was actually sufficient, or not. Either way there is likely a flag, the question becomes is it for KCI or an Invalid Signal, which is a judgment unique to each situation.

[daggo66]

My crew has never had an invalid signal. My BJ will instruct the deep receiver as to what a proper fair catch signal is each and every time we are in a punt situation.

[bossman72]

The "no get away" signal is a brand new ncaa rule this year.

[Blue37]

Originally Posted by bossman72

The "no get away" signal is a brand new ncaa rule this year.

Thanks for recognizing and answering the question!!!

[Theisey]

Originally Posted by bossman72

The "no get away" signal is a brand new ncaa rule this year.

the WHAT?

The rule did not change, however the AR as written in 2007 changed in 2008 to now classify the "get away" signal as an invalid signal and therefore the ball becomes dead when recovered by any team as it normally would.

[jaybird]

Originally Posted by Theisey

the WHAT?

The rule did not change, however the AR as written in 2007 changed in 2008 to now classify the "get away" signal as an invalid signal and therefore the ball becomes dead when recovered by any team as it normally would.

Thanks, that was my understanding as well. I thought all along that nothing had changed with the rule but that an interpretation had been issued based on philosophy in the form of an approved ruling.

[Forksref]

Originally Posted by daggo66

My crew has never had an invalid signal. My BJ will instruct the deep receiver as to what a proper fair catch signal is each and every time we are in a punt situation.

We had one a few years ago. The BJ gave good instructions but the receiver's hand never got above his chest. Sometimes they just won't do it right, no matter how much help we give them.

[yankeesfan]

if you have a situation in high school football under fed rules where the returner gives that "get away" signal, and then retrieves the ball and starts to run what would you call? i would like to hear different opinions on this exact situation.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by yankeesfan

if you have a situation in high school football under fed rules where the returner gives that "get away" signal, and then retrieves the ball and starts to run what would you call? i would like to hear different opinions on this exact situation.

I think I'd get out of his way. As long as his 'get-away' signal couldn't be mistaken for a fair catch signal I have nothing. Play on.

[Sonofanump]

We had this occur. The kicking team peeled away like a fair catch signal had been given. Out wing saw this and killed it. R's ball at spot of securing possesion.

[yankeesfan]

Originally Posted by yankeesfan

if you have a situation in high school football under fed rules where the returner gives that "get away" signal, and then retrieves the ball and starts to run what would you call? i would like to hear different opinions on this exact situation.

would someone please answer my question?

[ajmc]

Let me try again, there are only 3 signals; Fair Catch, Invalid Fair Catch and Illegal Fair Catch (which applies only to the runner). There is no such thing as a "get away signal" under the NF code.

If a player invents some sort of signal to warn his teammates to stay away from the ball, unless it meets the requirements of a Fair Catch signal, or in the judgment of the covering official could be interpreted as an invalid FC signal, it's nothing.

Now what kind of hand or arm movement might be interpreted as a possible invalid FC signal may vary between officials. As always rational, sound judgment is the deciding factor.

[OverAndBack]

Originally Posted by yankeesfan

would someone please answer my question?

waltjp did, and then ajmc did.