Question about a fair catch

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by dave30

I'm a basketball referee with a football question.

What is the rule if a player calls for a fair catch, but doesn't catch it until after it hits the ground. Is the punting team allowed to hit the return man?

High school rule needed.

The short answer is, "it all depends".

The NFHS rule is 6-5. NFHS Case Book 6.5.2.Situation 2 offers some detail answering your question. Examples relating to "after R1 gives a valid FC signal he muffs the kick into the air; (b) K2 pushes R1 in an attempt to reach the ball (Ruling: The contact on R1 by K2 is legal because K may retain possession following the muff by R1.)

(c) K3 tackles R1 following the muff, preventing R1 from catching the kick (Ruling: it is a holding foul for K3 to tackle R1 following the muff, thus preventing him from reaching the ball.)

(d) R1 is blocked below the waist by K4 and K5 recovers (Ruling: The block by K4 is illegal).

The key is that under the NFHS rule code, the added protection provided by the Fair Catch signal applies, when the kick is caught.(NF: 6-5-6)