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In gridiron football, a receiver can wave their hand in the air, above their helmet, before catching a kick or punt. This is called a fair catch[1]. The hand motion must be clear, and visible to the kicking team, and the receiver cannot run after they signal a fair catch.
History
editIn 1967, the fair catch rule was established. This was a rule that was originally adopted from rugby, the only difference being that rugby requires an audio cue, usually shouting "mark" before catching the ball. The rule has many different variations or rule changes, like having a "drop-zone" in the Australian Football League.[2]
At first, the rule did not prevent the receiver running the ball after a catch, which meant a receiver could call a fair catch, get the ball, and plow into a defender to gain a few extra yards, since the kicking team wouldn't know they would run. This tactic drew the attention of NFL owners, and eventually caused the rule to change in 1967, shortly after the rule was implemented. This change gave protection for both teams by prohibiting the receiver from running after catching a kick. This also introduced the sub penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct that prohibited a player from the kicking team to make contact with the ball carrier on the receiving team if they call for a fair catch. This is the last documented change to the fair catch rule in NFL history.
Penalties
editFair Catch Interference: If a receiver calls a fair catch, and the catch is interfered with by a player on the kicking team, then the play ends, with a 15 gain penalized against the kicking team. The gain is added from where the receiver should have caught the ball, or was standing when the interference happened
Invalid or Illegal Fair Catch: If the receiver makes a hand signal that doesn't qualify as a fair catch signal, then the fair catch is not accounted for, which puts the receiver in danger of being tackled. The receiver is allowed to run, but 5 yards will be penalized from where the receiver ran.
Illegal Fair Catch Signal/Delay of Game: If a runner calls for a fair catch, and runs instead to deceive the kicking team, then the play is stopped, and the receiving team is penalized 5 yards from where the receiver caught the ball.
See Penalties for more info