Fair Catch Rule

Submitted by WojoRisin on

I've seen this called incorrectly in several games in the past week, and it's something that really bothered me today when Michigan was flagged for delay of game after advancing a punt. According to the NCAA rulebook (http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/FR09.pdf) Rule 2-7 article 2 states:

"A valid signal is a signal given by a player of Team B who has obviously signaled his intention by extending one hand only clearly above his head and waving that hand from side to side of his body more than once."

Using a signal similar to an incomplete pass is quite common, and by definition is legal. This is pretty cut and dry, I'm not sure why multiple officiating crews struggle with it.

/end rant.