Fair Catch
1. The member of the receiving team must raise one arm a full
length above his head and wave it from side to side while kick is
in flight. (Failure to give proper sign: receivers’ ball five
yards behind spot of signal.) Note: It is legal for the receiver
to shield his eyes from the sun by raising one hand no higher than
the helmet.
2. No opponent may interfere with the fair catcher, the ball, or
his path to the ball. Penalty: 15 yards from spot of foul and fair
catch is awarded.
3. A player who signals for a fair catch is not required to catch
the ball. However, if a player signals for a fair catch, he may
not block or initiate contact with any player on the kicking team
until the ball touches a player. Penalty: snap 15 yards.
4. If ball hits ground or is touched by member of kicking team
in flight, fair catch signal is off and all rules for a kicked ball
apply.
5. Any undue advance by a fair catch receiver is delay of game.
No specific distance is specified for undue advance as ball is dead
at spot of catch. If player comes to a reasonable stop, no penalty.
For penalty, five yards.
6. If time expires while ball is in play and a fair catch is awarded,
receiving team may choose to extend the period with one fair catch
kick down. However, placekicker may not use tee.
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