College: 2-8-1 to 3

SECTION 8. Fair Catch

Fair Catch

ARTICLE 1.

a. A fair catch of a scrimmage kick is a catch beyond the neutral zone by a Team B player who has made a valid signal during a scrimmage kick that is untouched beyond the neutral zone.

b. A fair catch of a free kick is a catch by a Team B player who has made a valid signal during an untouched free kick.

c. A valid or invalid fair catch signal deprives the receiving team of the opportunity to advance the ball. The ball is declared dead at the spot of the catch or recovery. If the catch precedes the signal, the ball is dead when the signal is first given.

d. If the receiver shades their eyes from the sun without waving their hand(s), the ball is live and may be advanced.

Valid Signal

ARTICLE 2. A valid signal is a signal given by a player of Team B who has obviously signaled their intention by extending one hand only clearly above their head and waving that hand from side to side of their body more than once.

Invalid Signal

ARTICLE 3. An invalid signal is any waving signal by a player of Team B:

a. That does not meet the requirements of Article 2 (above); or

b. That is given after a scrimmage kick is caught beyond the neutral zone, strikes the ground or touches another player beyond the neutral zone; or

Approved Ruling 6-5-3 III. A scrimmage kick strikes the ground beyond the neutral zone and bounces high into the air, and B1 signals for a fair catch. RULING: Invalid signal. The ball is dead when recovered.

Approved Ruling 6-5-3 IV. B1 catches a scrimmage kick beyond the neutral zone and then signals for a fair catch. RULING: Invalid signal. The ball is dead where the signal first was given.

Approved Ruling 6-5-3 V. Team A’s scrimmage kick is rolling beyond the neutral zone when B17 alerts his teammates to stay away from the ball by a “get away” signal. RULING: Invalid signal. The ball is dead by rule when either team recovers.

c. That is given after a free kick is caught, strikes the ground or touches another player. [Exception: Rule 6-4-1f]

Approved Ruling 2-8-3 I. During Team A’s punt from the A-20, receiver B44 points at the grounded punt at midfield. As B44 points at the ball, (a) he keeps his hands below his shoulders with no waving motion; (b) he keeps his hands below his shoulders and has a waving motion; (c) he has his hands just above the shoulders with no waving motion. RULING: Rule 2-8-3 states that any waving motion that does not meet the criteria for a valid signal is an invalid signal. Additionally, by interpretation the receiver is allowed to point at a kick as long as his hands remain below the shoulder and there is no waving motion. Both (b) and (c) would be an Invalid Fair Catch Signal. In (a), this would not be considered a signal at all, and Team B would retain the right to recover the ball and advance.

Approved Ruling 2-8-3 II. Free Kick @ A35. The kickoff is high and deep, and deep receiver B21 gives the "T signal" as the kick is in flight. B21 catches the kick right at the goal line and returns the kick back to the B35. Ruling: Team B will have 1st and 10 @ B35. The "T signal", if executed properly, is not considered a valid or invalid fair catch signal. It is important that the signal is executed properly and has no waiving motion, and the hands are extended straight out and remain at or below shoulder level. The "T signal" does not cause the ball to become dead and does no deprive the receiving team the opportunity to advance the ball.