Fair catches

[Irv]

Can someone explain the reasoning for taking a fair catch on every single punt, but never taking one on a kickoff and always ending up with worse field position and, in the case of late game, burning clock we can’t afford to waste?

 

[NEHusker54]

Maybe flip Hill to punt return and Oliver Martin to kickoff return.

Jesus with that logic you might as well be next head coach

 

[Herbie]

Oliver Martins form is perfect.
As I stated earlier we need a statue of him calling a fair catch. The best to ever do it

 

[ChocaEgg]

Oliver Martins form is perfect.
As I stated earlier we need a statue of him calling a fair catch. The best to ever do it

You young bucks must not remember the legendary Santino Panico.

 

[Herbie]

You young bucks must not remember the legendary Santino Panico.

Oh I member him. Oliver has surpassed him

 

[Minute Man]

The biggest mistake was Hill fielding the kick after Wisconsin’s first TD. It was from the 20 and was caught right along the sideline. Let it bounce and if it’s going out of let it. You start the drive across midfield and gain valuable field position going into the wind. Instead he returns it and we get a penalty that puts the ball inside the 30.

 

[redzoner]

There are a lot of punts where we keep the defense on the field to protect against a fake and make sure we get the ball. So, with no blocking you are going to fair catch.

 

[jw3]

Tommi Hill is a terrible kick returner whose biggest problem is he thinks he's Devin Hester.

 

[alt f4]

Nebraska primarily uses a safe punt. Meaning they don't ever set up a return.

They want to either go for a punt block with a fair catch if it's punted, if not going for a block, protect against a fake. Really the end result is a fair catch.

They're trying to play statistics and just ensuring they always get the ball without worrying about a muffed punt, a fumble, or block in the back. A large percentage of block in the backs occur at the spot of the catch, thus, max field position is back 10 yards from where it's caught.

The average return in NCAA is something like 2 yards (non-fair catches).

The problem with this method, is Martin is going to fair catch regardless if there is a possibility for a return.

 

[Irv]

Nebraska primarily uses a safe punt. Meaning they don't ever set up a return.

They want to either go for a punt block with a fair catch if it's punted, if not going for a block, protect against a fake. Really the end result is a fair catch.

They're trying to play statistics and just ensuring they always get the ball without worrying about a muffed punt, a fumble, or block in the back. A large percentage of block in the backs occur at the spot of the catch, thus, max field position is back 10 yards from where it's caught.

The average return in NCAA is something like 2 yards (non-fair catches).

The problem with this method, is Martin is going to fair catch regardless if there is a possibility for a return.

Thanks. That makes sense.

I understand that a lot more than the KO return philosophy, which seems to result in never starting with position as good as the 25.

 

[alt f4]

Thanks. That makes sense.

I understand that a lot more than the KO return philosophy, which seems to result in never starting with position as good as the 25.

I don't get this either. The odds of a hitting a large return on kick-off is pretty slim as well.

I don't recall what the average kick-off return is, but looking at the stats, a 20-yard return average places you in the top 50 returners. Most teams kick through endzone or pin it within the 5-yard line.

Especially late in 2nd or 4th quarter, that fair catch is worth 20 yards and no time off the clock. I don't get the philosophy by ever trying to return one at any point in the game unless you have a return specialist.