The fair catch kick, also known as a free kick after a fair catch, is a unique scoring opportunity in American and Canadian football. It allows the team that has just made a fair catch to attempt a field goal from the spot of the fair catch. If successful, it results in three points for the kicking team.
Rules and Procedure
Following a fair catch, the team making the catch has two options: either to put the ball in play by a snap from scrimmage or to attempt a fair catch kick. If they choose the latter, the kick must be attempted on the next play from the spot where the fair catch was made.
The fair catch kick operates under free kick rules, with some key differences from a typical scrimmage play field goal attempt:
- Placement: The ball can be held for the kick, dropped from the hand and kicked (drop kick), or placed on a tee (NFL and most other leagues allow a tee, though NCAA rules might vary).
- Defensive Alignment: The opposing team must be at least 10 yards away from the spot of the kick until the ball is kicked. They are generally not permitted to rush or attempt to block the kick in the same manner as a scrimmage play.
- Live Ball: Unlike a scrimmage play field goal attempt where the ball is dead if it misses the uprights and lands in the end zone, a fair catch kick remains a live ball if it does not score. If the kick is missed, the receiving team can return the ball if they recover or catch it, or the kicking team can recover it if it travels at least 10 yards.
- Timing: The kick can be attempted at any point in the game, including the final seconds of a half or game.
Strategic Implications and Rarity
The fair catch kick is one of the rarest plays in professional football. Its rarity stems from several factors:
- Distance: Fair catches are typically made deep in a team's own territory after a punt, often 40-60 yards from the uprights. Kicking a field goal from such a distance, even without a rush, is a significant challenge.
- Practice: Teams do not regularly practice fair catch kicks, as they are not a standard part of special teams schemes. Kickers are accustomed to kicks from a snap and hold, which provides a more consistent setup.
- Alternative: The alternative—putting the ball in play from scrimmage—often provides a better strategic advantage, either by attempting to gain yards on offense or punting the ball away for better field position if the offense is stalled.
- Risk vs. Reward: The potential reward of three points is often outweighed by the low probability of success and the potential for a turnover or poor field position if the kick is missed and returned.
Despite its rarity, it has been successfully converted a handful of times in NFL history, usually under specific circumstances such as strong winds providing an advantage, or at the end of a half where there's no time for a scrimmage play.