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 Later the Chargers received an unexpected boost from kicker Cameron Dicker, who cut the lead to eight points on the final play of the second quarter with an unorthodox 57-yard field goal on a fair catch free kick. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024 Teams are allowed to kick immediately after a fair catch, but the obscure rule is almost never utilized. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024 Amazingly, the last successful fair catch kick was back in 1976 … by the San Diego Chargers. Ryan Morik, Fox News, 20 Dec. 2024 The last time a fair catch kick was attempted was 2019 when Joey Slye missed from 60 yards. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 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

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Cite this Entry

“Fair catch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fair%20catch. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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