fair catch

[ fair-kach ]

/ ˈfɛər ˈkætʃ /

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noun Football.

a catch of a kicked ball in which the receiver signals that they will not advance the ball and therefore may not be interfered with or tackled.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of fair catch

First recorded in 1855–60

Words nearby fair catch

fair, fair and square, fair ball, Fairbanks, Fairborn, fair catch, fair copy, Fair Deal, fair employment, fair enough, fairfaced

How to use fair catch in a sentence

The defining play of the Morris era arguably came in 2018, when the Razorbacks let a North Texas punt returner con them with a fake fair catch that led to a 90-yard touchdown return.
How Arkansas Revived Its Program|Alex Kirshner|September 28, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
He punted 45 yards to a fair catch at the Notre Dame 11-yard line.
Alabama advances to the national title game with an artful offensive performance|Chuck Culpepper, Des Bieler|January 2, 2021|Washington Post
In 2018, another new rule dictated that returners could call for a fair catch inside the 25-yard line and secure field position at the 25.
Why Are We Still Returning Kicks In College Football?|Jake Lourim|December 11, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Alabama coach Nick Saban, in responding to a question about the fair-catch rule, floated moving the kickoff to the 40 to further increase touchbacks, noting that when a receiver calls for the fair catch, it doesn’t necessarily eliminate blocking.
Why Are We Still Returning Kicks In College Football?|Jake Lourim|December 11, 2020|FiveThirtyEight

Harris punted high and short and Chambers made a fair catch on her forty-two yards.
Left Tackle Thayer|Ralph Henry Barbour
Wentworth made a fair-catch and punted on second down, after a plunge at right tackle had netted two yards.
Left Tackle Thayer|Ralph Henry Barbour
Caldwell was down under it like a flash, but Birch, of the Army, made a fair catch and kicked back for twenty yards.
Bert Wilson on the Gridiron|J. W. Duffield
"It is not a fair catch," broke in the executive officer incisively.
Dave Darrin on Mediterranean Service|H. Irving Hancock
The only remaining way to advance the ball is on a free-kick after a fair catch, as in the English game.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 5|Various