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
fair-catch
ˈfer-ˈkach How to pronounce fair catch (audio)
-ˈkech
transitive verb

Examples of fair catch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Advertisement Green Bay’s Elijah made a fair catch on a Chicago punt with seconds remaining in the first half. Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024 The Chargers Thursday night probably wouldn't have tried the free kick without benefit of the 15-yard penalty for fair catch interference. David K. Li, NBC News, 20 Dec. 2024 Dicker's kick is now the longest fair catch kick in NFL history, surpassing the 52-yard boot by Paul Hornung in 1964. Ryan Morik, Fox News, 20 Dec. 2024 How does a team get to attempt one? Teams can attempt a fair-catch kick after any play where a player makes a fair catch. Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fair catch 

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fair catch was in 1891

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 8 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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