Optometric Insight Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Found this on one of my Youtube excursions and I have no idea what the point of this was or how it came to be. Skip to 2:00 for the actual kick. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCBBUMnRqbo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt in KC Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Found this on one of my Youtube excursions and I have no idea what the point of this was or how it came to be. Skip to 2:00 for the actual kick. youtube.com/watch?v=kCBBUMnRqbo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_catch_kick When you use this: The punt or free kick must be fair-caught at a point close enough to make a field goal attempt plausible. There will usually be insufficient time to run more than one play from scrimmage... In the NFL, a fair catch kick may still be attempted if the half ends on the fair catch play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meathead Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 (edited) you can fair catch a kickoff (or technically a fg attempt) and on the next play try a free fg (no tee allowed) even if time has expired obviously an extremely seldom used rule edit: didnt know it could be used on a punt. is that correct? i thought it was only for kos and fgs or a safety kick Edited July 25, 2012 by Meathead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Optometric Insight Posted July 25, 2012 Author Share Posted July 25, 2012 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_catch_kick That's good to know. I bet Janikowski would be able to make the kick from anywhere. Also, two interesting things I found. The last attempt made was the Chargers against the Bills in 1976 and this: Wane McGarity fair caught a punt on the Atlanta 47 with no time left in the first half. Dallas coach Chan Gailey knew of the rule, and had specifically instructed McGarity to fair catch the punt if it was inside the 50, but Gailey forgot that he would be able to attempt the kick with no time left on the clock. Instead, the Cowboys went to the locker room. I bet if the situation presents itself again, Gailey will pounce on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebandit27 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 I've never felt more football knowledgable in my life than on this day. I know nobody will believe this, but I actually predicted that Whisenhunt would free kick as soon as the fair catch occurred. For years, my uncle (who sits next to me at home games) has been harping on why coaches don't take advantage of the rule more often, so I'm always looking for the time that it will actually happen. The rest of the room looked at me like I was on drugs (come to think of it...I may have been, but that's neither here nor there). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike In Illinois Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 I seem to recall ESPN or NFL Films having a piece on Fair Catch Kicks. I remember they had this Rackers kick in the story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big Cat Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Ha! And the last successful fair catch kick was against? You guessed it--the Bills! San Diego vs. Buffalo November 21, 1976 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AReed Deep For6 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 So basically you should be able to hit this from farther out because you don't have to kick over any lineman? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big Cat Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 So basically you should be able to hit this from farther out because you don't have to kick over any lineman? And it's a controlled hold and you get a full running start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvermike Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Yeah, it definitely applies to punts: it's the only time it's likely to get you anywhere. Opponent is punting from the shadow of their own goal line, and you fair catch around their 45. That's a 55 yard kick, once hte end zone is factored in, and so somewhat makeable. Given the bonus from no rush and a running start, you might be able to get up to 65 yards and have it be worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts