What it is

A fair catch is a signal that a returner uses on a punt. He waves one arm above his head, catches the ball, and cannot be tackled. In return, he is not allowed to run with the ball.

In a game

Players use it when they are about to be hit by the coverage team as they catch the ball, which is dangerous and gives little chance to gain yards. After the signal, the kicking team must give him room to catch the ball.

More detail

If a player signals and then fails to catch the ball, the kicking team may pick it up. A returner signals when he thinks the risk of being hit or fumbling is greater than the few yards he might gain. A fair catch also stops the clock, but only the ball’s position matters: the next play starts where the ball was caught.

Animated play

Blue circles are the team with the ball. X marks the other team. The yellow oval is the ball.

1. A punt is high in the air and the coverage team is sprinting toward the returner.
2. The returner raises one arm above his head. That tells everyone he will not run.
3. He catches the ball. The coverage players must stop running at him and cannot tackle him, because the signal protects him.
4. The ball is placed where he caught it and his team takes over from there. If he drops it after signaling, the kicking team may recover it.