File this one under the “did you know.” It’s a good one for around the water cooler to kickoff(see what we did there?) the New Year. You really didn’t want to work very hard this week anyway did you? Heck., it’s already late Hump Day or Thirsty Thursday depending on when you read this.
Four juicy NFL playoff games are looming. Could one end in a last second touchdown pass? Possible. Could one end with a last second field goal? Probable. Could one end in a last second fair catch kick? Say what?
Per NFL.com after a fair catch, the receiving team has the option to put the ball in play by a snap or a fair catch kick (field goal attempt), with fair catch kick lines established ten yards apart. All general rules apply as for a field goal attempt from scrimmage. The clock starts when the ball is kicked. (No tee permitted.)
Obviously, the plan can’t unfold without the right conditions. You need pin your opponent deep and force a punt with time expiring or near to expiration.
This is the time that might be right to call for a fair catch followed by a free kick. Think of it as a kickoff formation where the receiving team must remain minimally ten yards back from the spot of the kick. But, the big difference is that if the kick goes through the uprights it’s good for three points.
After you have successfully executed the fair catch, you have the opportunity to align for a free kick. The ball can be placed anywhere along the line of scrimmage, so the kicker has the opportunity to line his kick up wherever he wants it. The ball is live after the kick and can be returned by the opposing team if it stays in the field of play.
In high school, the kicking team is allowed to use any legal tee, including the one for kick-offs. Also, in high school if the ball goes into the end zone it’s automatically considered a touchback.
It’s critical that the punting team players not interfere with the fair catch. If the team fair catching is interfered with, they will march off 15 yards and the fair catch is still awarded, which means they may attempt a free kick even if there is no time left and fifteen yards closer.
Has a fair catch free kick happened before in an NFL game? Yes. Research is a bit sketchy, but it looks like there have only been 21 free kicks attempted in NFL history, and only three since 1990. There hasn’t been a successful attempt since Ray Wersching made a 45-yarder entering halftime in a Bills-Chargers game in 1976.
Will it happen again? Sure. It’s only a matter of when, not if. With the increasing length and accuracy of kickers today the field is stretched further, increasing the possibility. With no oncoming rush allowed, isn’t a 70 yarder soon in the cards?
It’s an obscure rule for sure. One wonders how many NFL coaches are even aware. But it might come in very handy one day soon. Oh, and you can drop kick a free kick too. Never heard of a drop kick? Drop back in soon and we will examine that obscure, but not lost opportunity, as well.
It’s rare, but it’s fair. And, it’s free. It’s the fair catch free kick.
In 2009, as the no. 1 seed they held serve at home, beat Indy in Miami, and hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.