fair catch
noun
: a catch of a kicked football by a player who gives a prescribed signal, may not advance the ball, and may not be tackled
Examples of fair catch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Among other nuances, the kicker will not be allowed to cross the 50-yard line until the ball is fielded, penalties from scoring plays will not carry over and fair catches from kickoffs will be eliminated.
—
Sam Joseph, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
Punting 79 times over the 14 games, the junior had a gross average of 51.2 yards with 39 of at least 50 yards, 18 of at least 60 yards, six of at least 70 yards, two of at least 80 yards, 37 inside the 20, 17 fair catches and a long of 86 yards.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024
Week 1 saw just one application of the new kickoff rule, which allows for fair catches on kickoffs to be placed at the 25.
—Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2023
In the latest rule change addressing plays that have been found to be the most dangerous, the N.F.L. this season will allow players to call for fair catches on kickoffs and on free kicks after a safety.
—Jenny Vrentas, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2023
Yes, Chaparral called for a fair catch after a punt, allowing Johnson to boot the field goal for the win with no pass rush.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2023
Anthony Gould calls for a fair catch, and he’s bumped.
—Nick Daschel | Ndaschel@oregonian.com, oregonlive, 3 Sep. 2023
Now there’s a new rule in the mix – returners can call for a fair catch anywhere and advance the ball to the 25-yard line – that many suspect is the next step for ultimately eliminating the kickoff from the game.
—Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY, 14 June 2023
If a player makes a fair catch behind their team’s 25-yard line, the ball will then be placed at the 25, mirroring the rule that has been used in college games since 2018.
—Jenny Vrentas, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2023
Sam Joseph, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
Punting 79 times over the 14 games, the junior had a gross average of 51.2 yards with 39 of at least 50 yards, 18 of at least 60 yards, six of at least 70 yards, two of at least 80 yards, 37 inside the 20, 17 fair catches and a long of 86 yards.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024
Week 1 saw just one application of the new kickoff rule, which allows for fair catches on kickoffs to be placed at the 25.
—Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2023
In the latest rule change addressing plays that have been found to be the most dangerous, the N.F.L. this season will allow players to call for fair catches on kickoffs and on free kicks after a safety.
—Jenny Vrentas, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2023
Yes, Chaparral called for a fair catch after a punt, allowing Johnson to boot the field goal for the win with no pass rush.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2023
Anthony Gould calls for a fair catch, and he’s bumped.
—Nick Daschel | Ndaschel@oregonian.com, oregonlive, 3 Sep. 2023
Now there’s a new rule in the mix – returners can call for a fair catch anywhere and advance the ball to the 25-yard line – that many suspect is the next step for ultimately eliminating the kickoff from the game.
—Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY, 14 June 2023
If a player makes a fair catch behind their team’s 25-yard line, the ball will then be placed at the 25, mirroring the rule that has been used in college games since 2018.
—Jenny Vrentas, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fair catch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1891, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near fair catch
Cite this Entry
“Fair catch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fair%20catch. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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