Invalid Signal
ARTICLE 3. An invalid signal is any waving signal by any player of Team B:
a. That does not meet the requirements of Article 2 (above); or
b. Including a "T" signal given during a free kick or scrimmage kick; or
Approved Ruling 6-5-3 VII. While a free kick is in the air, B21 gives a “T signal” thinking he will not return the kick. The ball is caught by: a) B21 at the B5; or b) B44 at the B5. Ruling: The ball is dead when caught. A) Team B ball, first and 10 at the 25 yard-line; b) Team B ball, first and 10 at the 5-yard line.
c. That is given after a scrimmage kick is caught beyond the neutral zone, strikes the ground or touches another player beyond the neutral zone; or
Approved Ruling 6-5-3 III. A scrimmage kick strikes the ground beyond the neutral zone and bounces high into the air, and B1 signals for a fair catch. RULING: Invalid signal. The ball is dead when recovered.
Approved Ruling 6-5-3 IV. B1 catches a scrimmage kick beyond the neutral zone and then signals for a fair catch. RULING: Invalid signal. The ball is dead where the signal first was given.
Approved Ruling 6-5-3 V. Team A’s scrimmage kick is rolling beyond the neutral zone when B17 alerts his teammates to stay away from the ball by a “get away” signal. RULING: Invalid signal. The ball is dead by rule when either team recovers.
d. That is given after a free kick is caught, strikes the ground or touches another player. [Exception: Rule 6-4-1f]
Approved Ruling 2-8-3 I. During Team A’s punt from the A-20, receiver B44 points at the grounded punt at midfield. As B44 points at the ball, (a) he keeps his hands below his shoulders with no waving motion; (b) he keeps his hands below his shoulders and has a waving motion; (c) he has his hands just above the shoulders with no waving motion. RULING: Rule 2-8-3 states that any waving motion that does not meet the criteria for a valid signal is an invalid signal. Additionally, by interpretation the receiver is allowed to point at a kick as long as his hands remain below the shoulder and there is no waving motion. Both (b) and (c) would be an Invalid Fair Catch Signal. In (a), this would not be considered a signal at all, and Team B would retain the right to recover the ball and advance.
Approved Ruling 2-8-3 II. Free Kick @ A35. The kickoff is high and deep, and deep receiver B21 gives the "T signal" as the kick is in flight. B21 catches the kick right at the goal line and returns the kick back to the B35. Ruling: The "T signal" is considered an invalid fair catch signal and the ball is dead when caught. The crew should shut the play down after B21 gains possession. Team B's ball 1/10 @ B-25.
