Fair catch

[Cherry5]

If a fair catch is called kick/punt the returner calls a fair catch then let's it bounce infront of him and into his arms. Can he return it? Or is it down where he caught it off the bounce?

 

[JasonTX]

The fair catch signal is a team commitment. The ball is dead once possession is gained by any player on his team. Hitting the ground does not change anything.

 

[kbjoe1]

The fair catch signal is a team commitment. The ball is dead once possession is gained by any player on his team. Hitting the ground does not change anything.


this raises a question can anyone on the team signal for a fair catch?

if the ball is not caught cleanly by the player calling for a fair catch then the play on the field is live and anyone can hit anyone till such time the whistle is blown dead

 

[kbjoe1]

can a receiver call for a fair catch and intentionally run into the area that the ball will land to make the apposing team avoid hitting the receiver thus insuring the ball continues into the end zone

 

[JasonTX]

The fair catch signal is a team commitment. The ball is dead once possession is gained by any player on his team. Hitting the ground does not change anything.


this raises a question can anyone on the team signal for a fair catch?

if the ball is not caught cleanly by the player calling for a fair catch then the play on the field is live and anyone can hit anyone till such time the whistle is blown dead

Any player on the receiving team can call a fair catch. If the ball is muffed it will still be live until such time that the receiving team gains possession. Once they gain possession the ball is dead.