The fair catch kick is a rarely used rule in some forms of American football that allows a team, after making a fair catch of an opponent's kick, to attempt a field goal freely from the spot of the catch. It is one of the three types of free kicks; the other two are the kickoff and the safety kick. At one time a very similar rule existed in rugby union called goal from mark.

Fair catch kicks can only occur when a member of the receiving team signals for, and successfully makes, a fair catch (or is awarded a fair catch after a kick-catch interference penalty). The receiving team then has the option of resuming play either by snap or fair catch kick. If the receiving team elects the fair catch kick option, their kicker can make a field goal attempt from the spot where the fair catch was made and the opposing team must line up at least ten yards downfield. The kicker then may either place kick the ball from a teammate's hold (a kickoff tee may be used in high school) or drop kick the ball. At this point, all general rules apply as for a field goal attempt from scrimmage. The clock starts when the ball is kicked. Three points are awarded for kicking the ball through the uprights. If the kick is unsuccessful, the rules are similar to that of a normal missed field goal: the opposing team has the option of fielding the ball and attempting a runback, or of taking possession at the spot of the kick. A successful fair catch kick is followed by a normal kick off.

A fair catch is a feature of American football and several other codes of football, in which a player attempting to catch a ball kicked by the opposing team – either on a kickoff or punt – is entitled to catch the ball without interference from any member of the kicking team. A ball caught in this manner becomes dead once caught, i.e., the player catching the ball is not entitled to run with the ball in an attempt to gain yardage, and the receiving team begins their drive at the spot where the ball was caught. A player wishing to make a fair catch signals his intent by extending one arm above his head and waving it while the kicked ball is in flight.

The primary reason for the fair catch rule is to protect the receiver. A receiver directs his attention toward the incoming punt and cannot focus on the defenders running towards him. He is quite vulnerable to injury and is also at risk for fumbling the kick if the punter intentionally makes a high short kick to allow defenders time to hit the receiver. The XFL removed the fair catch rule in an effort to make the game more "extreme." Canadian football and Arena football also do not have fair catch rules.

Neil William Rackers (born August 16, 1976) is an American football placekicker for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Illinois.

Rackers has also played for the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans.

Rackers attended Aquinas-Mercy High School in St. Louis, Missouri and was a student and a letterman in football, soccer, and baseball. In football, he was a two year letterman and an All-Conference selection. In soccer, he led his team to consecutive State Titles and was an All-State selection. In baseball, he was an All-Conference selection.

Rackers reached and or surpassed 20 touchbacks in a season twice in his career, and once had a streak of 31 consecutive field goals made before missing a 43-yarder in 2005 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. On New Year's Day, 2006, Rackers kicked his 40th field goal of the season, an NFL record. He was rewarded with a spot in that year's Pro Bowl. He is also one of the two active players to attempt a fair catch kick.

Mason Walker Crosby (born September 3, 1984) is a professional American football placekicker for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). During his playing days at the University of Colorado, Crosby was widely considered the best kicker in college football, as evidenced by ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.'s Top 5 Seniors by position in 2006. Crosby was a unanimous selection as a first-team All American by the Associated Press, the Football Writers Association of America, The Sporting News, and Walter Camp Football Foundation for the 2005 NCAA Division I-A football season. He was the runner-up for the Lou Groza Award, despite being heavily favored to win.

During his senior season at Colorado, Crosby became the first player in Big 12 Conference history to be named player of the week eight times. In late 2006, he also became Colorado's all-time leading scorer, with 308 career points. The previous record holder was Eric Bieniemy (1987–1990) with 254.

While enrolled at Colorado, Crosby displayed extraordinary leg strength, making a school record 60-yard field goal against Iowa State in 2004. Crosby’s 58-yard field goal against Miami in 2005 was the longest ever kicked in NCAA Division I-A football at sea-level without a tee. In all, Crosby holds 31 school records. Crosby connected on 66 of 88 field goals in total during his college career, and 30 of 34 inside 40 yards.

Douglas Terrell Buckley (born June 7, 1971 in Pascagoula, Mississippi) is a retired American football cornerback in the National Football League.

Buckley played professional baseball for the Mobile BaySharks in the Texas-Louisiana League. He is the only player with 50+ interceptions to never make a pro bowl. In a game against Cincinnati in 1992, his rookie season, Buckley set what remains a current record as the youngest player to return a punt for a touchdown in NFL history (21 years, 105 days). That was his only punt return for a touchdown of his career. In 1996, he led the league in interception return yards with 164.

Terrell Buckley had at least one interception in 13 consecutive seasons. In the 2001 AFC Championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Buckley had an intereception in the 24-17 win. He earned a Super Bowl ring 2 weeks later in the win over the St. Louis Rams.

Two-year starter and three-year letterman at Florida State (1989–91). Left as school’s all-time leader in interceptions (21) and interception return yards (501). His career interception yardage total of 501 is an NCAA record also tied school records for touchdowns off interception returns (four) and punt returns (three). He was named first-team All-American and won Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to nation’s top defensive back, as a junior. Led nation with 12 interceptions for 238 yards and two touchdowns. Named second-team All-American by Associated Press, The Sporting News and The Football News as a junior. Had six interceptions with two returned for touchdowns. He finished 7th in the Heisman voting in 1991. Played two years of varsity baseball and was a sprinter on the outdoor track team for one year. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the NFL draft.