NFHS Fair Catch Rule

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by a335336

Thanks.. What happened was the punt was rolling on ground surrounded by 3 players of K team. R1 ran up to ball picked it up while rolling. K1,2,3 then tackled R1. Official ruled violation of fair catch rule and penalized K team 15 yds.

On the contrary, if R1 picks it up and starts running with it, I'm flagging R for delay of game. 6-5-5: "No receiver may advance the ball after a valid or invalid fair-catch signal has been given by any member of the receiving team. Penalty: 5 yards [delay of game signal]"

If R1 just picks up the ball and gets tackled, this is nothing unless the contact was severe.