What Is a Fair Catch Free Kick? Rare Rule Explained

American football’s rulebook hides a handful of curiosities, and the fair catch free kick sits near the top of that list. It offers a chance to score three points from a placekick with no snap and no defensive rush.

Although only a few teams have ever tried it, the rule is still on the books at the professional, collegiate, and high-school levels. Understanding how it works can add a new layer of intrigue the next time you watch a punt sail through the air.

What Exactly Is a Fair Catch Free Kick?

After a team makes a fair catch on a punt or kickoff, it may elect to attempt a free kick from the spot of the catch. The play functions much like a field-goal try, but the ball is not snapped and the defense must remain at least ten yards away until the ball is kicked.

If the kick passes between the uprights and over the crossbar it counts as three points, just like a standard field goal. Should the kick miss, the opposing team takes possession from the spot of the kick.

Key Requirements for a Valid Attempt

Several conditions must be met before the referee will allow the attempt. Missing any one of them cancels the option.

• The fair catch must occur on a punt or kickoff, not on a turnover or scrimmage play.
• The kick must be taken from the exact spot of the catch, unless enforcement of a penalty moves the ball.
• The clock is stopped at the moment of the fair catch, so the kick may occur with no time left if the catch happened before the clock expired.
• The defense must line up at least ten yards from the ball and cannot rush the kicker.

Step-by-Step Execution

Once the receiving team notifies the referee of its intent, the ball is either held on the ground by a holder or placed on a small tee. Because there is no snap, timing is entirely in the kicker’s hands.

Officials signal the ready-for-play, and the kicker may proceed at any moment. The defense must remain motionless until the ball is kicked, at which point the play becomes live.

• Holder positions the ball at the spot of the catch
• Kicker approaches and strikes the ball
• Officials rule it good, no good, or short and returnable

Scoring and Field Position Outcomes

A successful fair catch free kick adds three points to the scoreboard and is recorded statistically as a field goal. Because the defense cannot block it, the odds of success hinge mainly on distance and wind.

If the attempt fails but stays in bounds, the ball remains live and the defense may return it. Any missed kick that exits the end zone or is ruled dead in the field of play gives the opponents possession at the spot of the kick.

Why Teams Rarely Use the Rule

The opportunity demands a precise set of circumstances: a fair catch near or beyond midfield, little or no time left in a half, and a kicker with enough range. Coaches often prefer to run an offensive play, secure a traditional field-goal drive, or simply head to halftime rather than risk a low-percentage kick.

Field position also acts as a deterrent. A miss hands the ball to the opponent at the kicking spot, which can flip momentum quickly if plenty of time remains.

Memorable Attempts in NFL History

Ray Wersching of the Chargers connected on a 45-yard fair catch kick in 1976, one of the last successful tries in the league. More recently, Mason Crosby’s 69-yard attempt for Green Bay in 2008 fell short but showcased the rule to a national audience.

Each rare appearance sparks conversation among fans and broadcasters, underscoring how unfamiliar even seasoned viewers are with the procedure.

Variations in High School and College Rules

High-school federations and the NCAA permit the same option, although a tee is mandatory at the prep level and optional in college. The defense must still provide a ten-yard cushion with no rush.

Because high-school hash marks are wider, angles can be sharper, making long attempts even tougher. At the college level, the narrower hash marks offer slightly friendlier geometry, yet successful kicks remain nearly nonexistent.

Final Thoughts

The fair catch free kick is equal parts relic and strategic wildcard. Although the circumstances line up only once in a blue moon, the rule provides an intriguing what-if scenario every time a punt hangs in the air near midfield.

So the next time you watch special teams trot out in the closing seconds of a half, keep an eye on the officials. A simple fair catch signal could set the stage for one of football’s rarest scoring plays.