Rule change for fair catch, hear me out

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USBHawk

Well-Known Member
Maybe this is a dumb idea, but to resolve future controversies regarding the "invalid fair catch", just change the rule to state any punt that hits the ground is returnable, regardless of ANY legal or illegal fair catch signals. No returner is going to make a valid signal, stand under it and let it bounce. There's no upside or advantage to do that. This would remove any ambiguity or interpretation.

Thoughts? What am I missing? I suppose this could result in every returner signaling a valid fair catch for any punt they feel like they can't get to for "insurance". Not quite fair to the kicking team I guess. Very few punts that hit the ground are returned anyway...
 
I actually kind of like it. Treat it like a KO but for a punt maybe change the number of yards it is required to go. Also, if allowing the fair catch, any hand gesture above one's helmet will result in a fair catch signal and the play should be dead once fielded cleanly. Key is hand has to be above the head/helmet.
 
In addition, I also think the referees should be required to declare what they are looking for when reviewing and not be able to fish for other infractions. That's bullshit.
 
The current rule as written needs to be revised, no doubt.

Returners do in fact wave for a fair catch and let it bounce. It actually happens regularly near the goal line. The strategical advantage is to divert the coverage so that the ball has a better chance of going into the end zone for a touchback.

To me there is a "valid" fair-catch signal, and that's it. Period. Anything else is fair game.

There doesn't even need to be a definition of "invalid" signals. The valid signal protects the returner from being touched, so it's really about safety. Signaling your teammates to clear away, either verbally or with hand signals, shouldn't change anything regarding whether or not the ball is returnable. It can be downed by the receiving or kicking team, or returned on the bounce by the receiving team. The returner is not protected in that situation and can be tackled as soon as he touches the ball.

I would not be in favor of having the same rule as a kick-off. In that situation the ball is considered completely live, meaning that the kicking team can recover or advance it after it has traveled at least 10 yards. We don't want that situation on punts.
 
#1DieHardHawk said:
The current rule as written needs to be revised, no doubt.

Returners do in fact wave for a fair catch and let it bounce. It actually happens regularly near the goal line. The strategical advantage is to divert the coverage so that the ball has a better chance of going into the end zone for a touchback.
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Right, when they are on the 15 and the ball is going to bounce close or into the endzone...not when they are "under" the ball. I don't think my suggestion would further hamper or deceive the kicking team. The kicking team should have a better idea of where the ball is going that the receiving team...at least directionally, distance is harder for sure.

#1DieHardHawk said:
To me there is a "valid" fair-catch signal, and that's it. Period. Anything else is fair game.
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Agree 100%.
#1DieHardHawk said:
There doesn't even need to be a definition of "invalid" signals. The valid signal protects the returner from being touched, so it's really about safety. Signaling your teammates to clear away, either verbally or with hand signals, shouldn't change anything regarding whether or not the ball is returnable. It can be downed by the receiving or kicking team, or returned on the bounce by the receiving team. The returner is not protected in that situation and can be tackled as soon as he touches the ball.

I would not be in favor of having the same rule as a kick-off. In that situation the ball is considered completely live, meaning that the kicking team can recover or advance it after it has traveled at least 10 yards. We don't want that situation on punts.
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I'd love to see the rule change where instead of reviewing the play and finding bullshit ways to impact the game, they only have the opportunity to review something reviewable and not spend 5 minutes trying to find something there that wasn't.
 
I like the OP's suggestion, and to @kicker22 's point, I would rather see college go to an NFL system where coaches need to initiate the review, and you get a limited number of challenges. You also need to specify WHAT you are challenging. I guarantee there is not a coach in the country who would have challenged whether or not an invalid fair catch signal had occurred on that play.
 
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