Fair Catch signal

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by john_faz

In this case, R has the ability to stop the ball from advancing further to his goal line. K then does not get the advantage of having the grounded scrimmage kick gain further yards. I understand there is no penalty on R but it seems like they have an advantage in a small way. Especially, since K can not tackle R because the ball is dead.

It seems to me that K is at a disadvantage. If R signals for a fair catch and then does not catch it on the fly, are we to assume that all K players must know a fair catch signal was given? even though the ball was not caught in flight. What happens if K tackles the R player right after possession is gained, would you consider it a personal foul - late hit or would you grant K some leeway?

The prohibition against advancing the ball, once a Fair Catch signal has been given by any R player is designed to limit what R can do with a kick when a signalled FC has not been completed. As with a completed FC, R surrenders it's right to advance the kick in return for the unimpeded opportunity to complete the FC. To allow R to regain the right to advance, after an unsuccessful attempt to complete a FC would be a significant disadvantage for K, which is avoided by simply declaring the ball dead once possession is secured regardless of whether the FC was successfully completed.

As to possible contact between K and R, as with most elements of contact between opponents, the primary differentiator between there being a foul, and not, is the judgment of the covering official in determining whether, or not thae contact rises to the level of rule being violated.

This is a game being played by young, student athletes, not a competition of precision measurements judged by precise engineering standards and compliance with the many rules of football are best concluded by review and consideration based on the intended purpose of the rules, rather than precise application of the verbiage of the rule.