fair catch

[ fair kach ]

noun

, Football.

1. a catch of a kicked ball in which the receiver signals that they will not advance the ball and therefore may not be interfered with or tackled.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fair catch¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

The defining play of the Morris era arguably came in 2018, when the Razorbacks let a North Texas punt returner con them with a fake fair catch that led to a 90-yard touchdown return.

From FiveThirtyEight

He punted 45 yards to a fair catch at the Notre Dame 11-yard line.

From Washington Post

In 2018, another new rule dictated that returners could call for a fair catch inside the 25-yard line and secure field position at the 25.

From FiveThirtyEight

Alabama coach Nick Saban, in responding to a question about the fair-catch rule, floated moving the kickoff to the 40 to further increase touchbacks, noting that when a receiver calls for the fair catch, it doesn’t necessarily eliminate blocking.

From FiveThirtyEight

Harris punted high and short and Chambers made a fair catch on her forty-two yards.

From Project Gutenberg

Wentworth made a fair-catch and punted on second down, after a plunge at right tackle had netted two yards.

From Project Gutenberg

Caldwell was down under it like a flash, but Birch, of the Army, made a fair catch and kicked back for twenty yards.

From Project Gutenberg

"It is not a fair catch," broke in the executive officer incisively.

From Project Gutenberg

The only remaining way to advance the ball is on a free-kick after a fair catch, as in the English game.

From Project Gutenberg