fair catch
noun
: a catch of a kicked football by a player who gives a prescribed signal, may not advance the ball, and may not be tackled
Examples of fair catch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Then last season, returners could call for a fair catch anywhere, not just in the end zone, for a touchback, resulting in the lowest return rate in NFL history.
—
Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 7 Sep. 2024
Then in 2023, the NFL announced that the returning team would be able to signal for a fair catch to advance to the 25.
—Sam Joseph, CNN, 2 Aug. 2024
Nixon was ready to fair catch a Houston punt, but backed away at the final second.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Mims was looking up to catch the ball and signaled for a fair catch, but before the ball arrived Charles blasted him.
—Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fair catch 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 7 Sep. 2024
Then in 2023, the NFL announced that the returning team would be able to signal for a fair catch to advance to the 25.
—Sam Joseph, CNN, 2 Aug. 2024
Nixon was ready to fair catch a Houston punt, but backed away at the final second.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Mims was looking up to catch the ball and signaled for a fair catch, but before the ball arrived Charles blasted him.
—Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fair catch
Dictionary Entries Near fair catch
Cite this Entry
“Fair catch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fair%20catch. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share