fair catch

fair catch

n. Football A catch of a kicked ball by a receiving player who has signaled the intention not to run with the ball and who may not be hit if making no attempt to advance the ball after catching it.

fair′ catch′

n. a catch of a kicked football made after the receiving team signals that it will not attempt to advance the ball. [1855–60]

fair catch

1. Catch of a kicked ball by a player who signals by raising a hand at arm’s length above his head. He may not advance the ball and may not be tackled.2. See mark.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

fair catch - (American football) a catch of a punt on the fly by a defensive player who has signalled that he will not run and so should not be tackledsnap, grab, snatch, catch - the act of catching an object with the hands; "Mays made the catch with his back to the plate"; "he made a grab for the ball before it landed"; "Martin's snatch at the bridle failed and the horse raced away"; "the infielder's snap and throw was a single motion"American football, American football game - a game played by two teams of 11 players on a rectangular field 100 yards long; teams try to get possession of the ball and advance it across the opponents goal line in a series of (running or passing) plays