Numerous "fair catcthers"

[NorCalRef12]

Originally Posted by whitehat

This has not happend to me but I am wondering if I were a coach I might consider it.

How many R players may, on the same play, legally signal for a Fair Catch?
I am thinking of onside situations primarily or even a two deep punt return. As soon as the ball is kicked (onside), why couldn't all R players give a Fair catch signal? That way no K could touch any R before they tried to catch the ball. I see this especially relevant when K charges down knocking R players out of the way on a short kick.

As far as I can tell the rule only specifies that the player giving the FC signal is protected and cannot block until the kick ends.... doesn't say how many players can give FC signal

any thoughts....

One point to note on this situation is that if it is a free kick that has not touched the ground, all R players already have protection as long as they are in the general area of the ball, whether they are trying to catch it or not.

If the ball HAS touched the ground (K tops it and then it hops up in the air) then signalling for a fair catch would actually be an invalid FC signal since the kick has already been grounded.