Didn't even know the rule for a "Fair Catch Kick" existed. :confused:

 

Apparently the NFL and the NFHS allow for a free kick from the spot of any fair catch, thus enabling an attempt at a field goal. There hasn't been a successful attempt in the NFL since 1976.

 

 

 

 

LINK

Interesting that there was only 1 official underneath the goalpost.

I don't know if you read the Tuesday Morning QB column on ESPN's Page2 or not, but the columnist, Gregg Easterbrook, has been talking about this a lot lately, wondering why it's become a thing of the past.

There was a fair catch inference issue in an earlier game this season that prompted me to go to the rule book. I happened upon this rule and was completely blown away. I had no idea that it existed. Seems like a way to snag points, especially right before halftime or maybe late in the game. Obviously you would need a solid kicker.

I think it was the Browns Steelers game last weekend and it was right before half, the Steelers were punting and the ball from their own 15 yard line. They booted the ball to the opposite 40 but there was a penalty. The Browns elected to not make the Steelers re-punt. I was thinking the whole time, why not make them re-punt to fair catch it and try a free kick right before half. Maybe why the Browns rarely win.

 

The last time I remember this being attempted was during an Arizona Cardinals game and it was right before the half and Neil Rackers tried about a 70 yard free kick but he missed it miserably.

 

I did have one question. Can they still attempt the kick with no time left on the clock?

In the NFL, yes.

Wow I had no idea you were allowed to do this!

We tried it 2 years ago for 60 yard field goal with Monte Merrick as the kicker.

I knew of this rule because Pikeville used it a few seasons ago when Coach J was at the helm.

 

We had a thread on it then discussing the rule.

 

Way to go Coach J, educating the masses.

Thanks, 'tusi.

 

Actually, we did it TWO TIMES in one game. Against Jenkins one year--in one of the biggest 'mismatch games' I've ever been a part of--we were scoring on first down pretty much every series. We were blocking the punts and running them in. Was getting to the point where it looked like it might be one of those 100-point games even WITH the running clock.

 

I knew the coaches at Jenkins to be VERY classy guys, their kids were playing hard and didn't deserve that kind of beating, our field goal kicker needed the work in a game situation, and I really wanted our JV kids to get time in a varsity game without the running clock (was tough to schedule JV games since most 1A teams around there didn't have enough for a JV team).

 

So, we used the fair-catch/free-kick 2 different times after 3-and-outs forced by our defense deep in their territory. Our kicker, Max Pafunda, made both of them, we kept the score down, our JV got time in the game without the running clock, and the Jenkins coaches shook my hand and told us they appreciated what we'd done. Truly a win-win-win.

 

Have used it in three other games. Never for one in a game that might be in doubt; but to this day, we work on it on Thursdays just in case it might be needed at the end of a half.

If your team wants to use the fair-catch/free-kick rule in a game, then who makes the call and when and how is it communicated to the officials?

I think Paul Hornung did it for the Packers many years ago.

Had no idea this was possible...

I'm not privy to a rule book right now, but will try to answer based on my experience:

 

1. Team Captain can make request of head official on the field anytime before the ready for play whistle is blown. Or, similar to how timeouts can be called from the sideline, the head coach can alert the side judge/linesman to his side his team would like to free kick.

2. Official asks where we would like the ball to be spotted (can put it anywhere between the hashes at the yard line where the ball was caught).

3. Opposing team must stay at least 10 yards from the kick-point.

4. From the time the ball is kicked, it is basically just like a field goal attempt (in HS, if does not reach the goalline, the ball can be returned; if not returned, the kicking team can down the ball just like a punt).

 

By the way, after our first attempt (while at Oldham County) and having a head referee who had no idea about the rule, I always bring up that we might do it in our pre-game meeting.

We tried it 2 years ago for 60 yard field goal with Monte Merrick as the kicker.

 

I looked it up and Merrick's attempt was from 63 yards. He used the kickoff tee which is legal for this kick. It was long enough, but just wide left. Part of the problem as I remember there was the prolonged delay as the officials tried to figure out if they were going to let him do it. Coach Hilton had been made aware of this rule by Merrick's Dad and they were looking for opportunity to use it. Finally after several minutes they let him set up for kick and unfortunately the PA announcer said...."now if he makes this kick it will be a new state record....." probably did not help! LOL! Sure caused some excitement anyway!