what ???? as an Argentinian who knows maybe 30% of football (american) ... rules... cant believe that there are rules that even MOST FANS doesn t even know ... ¿¿¿can any one explain me WHAT HAPPENED here ????
@@ravinraven6913 are you okay bud? There was absolutely nothing wrong with how they worded that, and it made perfect sense. You may have a learning disability. Their comment was structured better than yours, had better punctuation than yours, and contributed much more to the conversation than yours.
John Madden would have absolutely loved this. The free kick was his favorite obscure rule. Back on New Year's 1989 he was calling a playoff game between the 49ers and Vikings, and he was ecstatic when San Francisco got a fair catch at the end of the half and sent out their kicker. RIP Madden.
@mychaeljones7526, John Madden (may he rest in peace) was one hell of a football coach and football commentator! As a younger fan, I really appreciated his straight forward explanations of plays and strategies. Yeah, people made fun of his methods, but those people weren't very smart.
For those wondering why we don't see it that often- In most cases when a fair catch is made throughout the game there is time left on the clock, so teams will opt to try to get plays in to get closer to the field goal posts, to better their chances at making a kick. That then just makes it an ordinary field goal. It requires being forced into having to make a fair catch, with no time to make a play (at the half or end of the game), and since most end punts at that point in the game push the ball as far down the field as possible, most penalties would happen too far out to have a good chance at making the kick.
But do you really improve your odds of making a field goal if you move the ball 10 yards closer, but have to go through the snap-hold-kick protocol with the defense trying to block it?
however, a case could be made that this should be done more often if you fair catch it closer than your own 40. A normal field goal will have rushers trying to block it and is a lot harder to make-- a fair catch field goal like the one in the vid probably extends the kickers' range by at least 20 yards, which is really significant. i.e. If you fair catch it with like ~30 seconds left and no timeouts, and you're within range, it might be better to go for one of these instead of trying to get closer.
The difference is if you have time left you can just opt to make a normal drive which my result in a touchdown. Only if you have no time left to attempt a touchdown drive and you’re somewhere near field goal range it would make sense to do it
I reffed high school football for 22 years, with this rule in the book, and this is the first time I've ever seen one live... yeah, I was as excited as Isaac about it!
This rule dates back to the 1870s from Rugby. It was originally called a "goal from mark". The fair catch was originally called a "mark". The player would dig his heel into the ground creating a mark before catching the ball. The receiving team could then opt to put the ball into play (usually with a scrum) or opt for a goal from mark. It made sense back then since kicking was the only way you could score. Touchdowns weren't worth any points, it just gave you a "Try at Goal", now commonly referred to as an extra point.
@@usarugbyleagueunionfan I believe American Football got rid of requiring the ball actually be touched down on the ground for a touchdown to count sometime in the 1890s. It was a safety issue, players would pile onto the ball carrier in the end zone trying to prevent him from touching the ball down. They changed it so the ball just had to cross the goal line, as it remains today.
I'm so sick of people lying about texting their friends about Isaac Punts making a video about fair catch free kicks. Bro, nobody's going to buy that BS anymore.
It was also crazy that Terry McAulay (The rules expert) pointed out they could do a free kick right away. He has to have been waiting so long to be able to use that one.
This rule dates back to the 1870s from Rugby. It was originally called a "goal from mark". The fair catch was originally called a "mark". The player would dig his heel into the ground creating a mark before catching the ball. The receiving team could then opt to put the ball into play (usually with a scrum) or opt for a goal from mark. It made sense back then since kicking was the only way you could score. Touchdowns weren't worth any points, it just gave you a "Try at Goal", now commonly referred to as an extra point.
Apparently if the kick is missed, the other team gets to run it back and then has possession, so it only makes sense to do at the end of a half. Plus, it was the penalty that brought them close enough to have a realistic chance of making it. Very specific set of circumstances!
There’s no point in doing it with time on the clock as any team would obviously try to score a TD, but doing it at the end of a half keeps possession away from the other team and if it’s missed it’s treated like a kickoff. It’s a no-rush field goal which makes the kickers job so much easier and the only other option they had was an unlikely Hail Mary.
He said postgame it’s his favorite obscure rule, he even said he tried a 71 yard fair catch kick when he was the head coach with the 9ers because he wanted one so bad lmao
The game is still ongoing, and there's already a video about it! Awesome!! Anyhow, I'm pretty new to watching the sport, and I didn't even know this was a thing. I was going, "huh, you can do that?" :D
A couple of years ago I was watching a nephew play in a high school state playoff game in the Falcons then Dome. They did this play. A coaching staff from a college team was sitting near us in this almost empty stadium. I leaned forward and asked one of the coaches what just happened and he had no idea either. the team did not make it.
Growing up I heard my dad bring up the free kick at least 200 times. I am sure that I was in the top 1% of knowing the most about free kicks as a child. People have called me a liar when I have brought up this rule before. It's so fricking cool to see it finally be made for the first time in 48 years.
Quick Q for everyone: did you notice that when you remove the -"eron" part of his 1st name, then switch 1st letters btwn 1st & last names...instead of CAM DICKER, we get: DAMN KICKER. Just too damn perfect, innit?
First things first, thank you Chargers for this win after the Bucs... BUT i was refreshing knowing that there was gonna be a video here soon lol... thank you for the content as usual!
That was the beginning of the end for Denver. They were up 24-10. The Chargers scored that kick, then two TDs to go up 27-24. And they were never caught.
I saw saw Vince Lombardi pull this rule on the Bears in the 60s. Coach Hallas was livid. "You can't do that!". Thing is, Lombardi read the rule book, cover to cover, every year. There were times when he was teaching the refs what it said. +3 pts. Taught me an important lesson - read the rules yourself. It's helped me often, such as when dealing with legislation in the Calif Asssembly, or putting together an "open jaw' (NY - SF, then LA - NY) round trip ticket that the airline agent told me I couldn't do, until I showed her the rule. :)
Random rule idea the traditionalists will hate… PAT’s are taken like free kicks but they are taken in line with the position the ball crossed the enzone (the same way rugby conversions are taken)
@frankiethefrog1752 didn't say it's the same but it evolved from Rugby brought by the English settlers just like Australian rules Rugby brought by the English in Australia.
This fair catch free kick almost happened in the Patriots 34-28 OT win against Atlanta in Super Bowl 51. After New England tied it up 28-28 and forced Atlanta to punt, New England fair caught the ball with time for one more play. If the ball was just a few yards closer, Pats would have attempted a free kick field goal for the win. Coming back from down 3-28 and then winning on a free kick that most people do not even know about, that would have melted some people’s minds.
I literally just learned that this play existed the other week and I was stunned this rule even existed. Now a few weeks later, my team successfully kicks one. It’s funny how these things happen lol.
Broncos punted, chargers punt reciever made a "fair catch" since the clock expired during the punt, the rule is that the chargers can do what's called a "free kick" from the spot of the fair catch. Since the fair catch was at midfield, they went for it.😊
Crazy thing is I watched a video on here just recently about obscure and strange rules in the NFL. This one was mentioned and they said that it never happens anymore. And here we are.
First game of the season back in 1964 both the eagles and packers tried a fair catch free kick just before half in their respective games. The eagles missed and so did paul Hornung up in Green Bay.
Let's go!!! And then Denver must've watched your videos with an earlier first down field goal at the end of the game. It would've been even better had they had 3 timeouts.
The reason you don't see it that often is because it surrenders first, second, and third down. It only makes sense if you're in the final seconds of a half, or if you're down by 9 or 10 points with only 2 minutes to go and know you need every other second of those remaining two minutes to get 7 points.
I have been watching football for 40 years and have never even heard of this, much less seen it done. Bananas.
Kinda like the tug rule lols
I've seen it attempted and missed a couple times but it was awesome to see it made
I was 7 in 1978 when the last one hit.
Same here, been watching since 1985 when I was ten. And I've never even heard of this.
what ???? as an Argentinian who knows maybe 30% of football (american) ... rules... cant believe that there are rules that even MOST FANS doesn t even know ...
¿¿¿can any one explain me WHAT HAPPENED here ????
The funny thing is that the last one made in 1976 was made by a Chargers kicker, Ray Wersching.
And even he MISSED!
I remember Rolf Benirschke, not that guy for some reason.
there's nothing funny about that
@@ravinraven6913 are you okay bud? There was absolutely nothing wrong with how they worded that, and it made perfect sense. You may have a learning disability. Their comment was structured better than yours, had better punctuation than yours, and contributed much more to the conversation than yours.
@@PtolemyJoneswasn't wershing on the niners, won a sb?
John Madden would have absolutely loved this. The free kick was his favorite obscure rule. Back on New Year's 1989 he was calling a playoff game between the 49ers and Vikings, and he was ecstatic when San Francisco got a fair catch at the end of the half and sent out their kicker. RIP Madden.
BOOM! 3 points
He always wanted EA Sports to put the FCK into Madden
@mychaeljones7526, John Madden (may he rest in peace) was one hell of a football coach and football commentator! As a younger fan, I really appreciated his straight forward explanations of plays and strategies. Yeah, people made fun of his methods, but those people weren't very smart.
Do we have a clip of this moment on UA-cam?
@@suikinng4232 yes, more than one. It's a New Year's Day game and the kicker was Cofer.
Saw this live and was refreshing for this video to drop
real
yeah I was confused af hahaha
Finally, Got To See A Free Kick Made
Never thought I'd see it in my life time
didnt even know it existed
It's a "fair catch kick".
One night i dont wat h thursdsy night football lol 😅
@@lemonator8813 same I was doing my homework
We got free kick before GTA 6
This is millions to one.
😂😂😂
Best comment here
NPC comment
I'm sure we're getting GTA 7 before we get GTA 6
For those wondering why we don't see it that often- In most cases when a fair catch is made throughout the game there is time left on the clock, so teams will opt to try to get plays in to get closer to the field goal posts, to better their chances at making a kick. That then just makes it an ordinary field goal. It requires being forced into having to make a fair catch, with no time to make a play (at the half or end of the game), and since most end punts at that point in the game push the ball as far down the field as possible, most penalties would happen too far out to have a good chance at making the kick.
Thanks for the explanation, it helped me better understand why this was done in this case.
But do you really improve your odds of making a field goal if you move the ball 10 yards closer, but have to go through the snap-hold-kick protocol with the defense trying to block it?
however, a case could be made that this should be done more often if you fair catch it closer than your own 40.
A normal field goal will have rushers trying to block it and is a lot harder to make-- a fair catch field goal like the one in the vid probably extends the kickers' range by at least 20 yards, which is really significant. i.e. If you fair catch it with like ~30 seconds left and no timeouts, and you're within range, it might be better to go for one of these instead of trying to get closer.
@@big8dog887 Exactly what I'm wondering! i'd think kickers would way rather kick it like this if it were up to them
The difference is if you have time left you can just opt to make a normal drive which my result in a touchdown. Only if you have no time left to attempt a touchdown drive and you’re somewhere near field goal range it would make sense to do it
I reffed high school football for 22 years, with this rule in the book, and this is the first time I've ever seen one live... yeah, I was as excited as Isaac about it!
Did you not see the one attempted on 2019?
This was glorious. I've waited my whole life to see this.
Me too. I’m 64.
I hope you see better life goals bro
really? why lol?
I never waited for it, but cool to stumble into this rarity.
People take the comment section way too seriously. Not talking about the first comment, but the replies.
I was watching and immediately thought "Isaac is probably losing his goddamned mind right now" 😂
Sure you were. No really, we believe you.
same
Same lol
This rule dates back to the 1870s from Rugby. It was originally called a "goal from mark". The fair catch was originally called a "mark". The player would dig his heel into the ground creating a mark before catching the ball. The receiving team could then opt to put the ball into play (usually with a scrum) or opt for a goal from mark. It made sense back then since kicking was the only way you could score. Touchdowns weren't worth any points, it just gave you a "Try at Goal", now commonly referred to as an extra point.
Ya learn something new everyday … thanks for that.
Zeez....you only had an hour to investigate!
Damn bro. You really know your Rugby history. Good call. Maybe American Football can go back to actually scoring a TOUCH- DOWN!
@@usarugbyleagueunionfan I believe American Football got rid of requiring the ball actually be touched down on the ground for a touchdown to count sometime in the 1890s. It was a safety issue, players would pile onto the ball carrier in the end zone trying to prevent him from touching the ball down. They changed it so the ball just had to cross the goal line, as it remains today.
Who knew.
I was a kid and saw a team try this in the preseason and have been waiting for 50+ years to see a real one.
Props to the coaching staff for even knowing this was a thing!
Justin Herbert went out before Dicker did, i think the refs told them what they could do.
@@theBIGmike9000 Harbaugh is like Belichick. He knows all the obscure rules.
@@Fjaloeat1 i just watched his press conference and he said it's his favorite rule. God i love our coach
Jim did that when he was the coach for the niners. Didn't make it obviously but I remember thinking wtf has this play
Literally just texted my friend “First fair catch free kick in forever, I bet Isaac Punts makes a video about it”
I'm so sick of people lying about texting their friends about Isaac Punts making a video about fair catch free kicks. Bro, nobody's going to buy that BS anymore.
@@drbqqq1433 buddy's mad for no reason 😂
@@datboyDO🫥
@@drbqqq1433 😂😂😂 I’d send you a screenshot if I could my man
I've been waiting for a real one for more than fifty years, although as a child, I witnessed a team do this during the preseason.
Shoulda known. You looking fresh for waiting 40 years bot
50 years. It was literally attempted in 2019. So you not watch football?
It was also crazy that Terry McAulay (The rules expert) pointed out they could do a free kick right away. He has to have been waiting so long to be able to use that one.
I freaking love these random vestiges of Football from the 1920s-50s
This rule dates back to the 1870s from Rugby. It was originally called a "goal from mark". The fair catch was originally called a "mark". The player would dig his heel into the ground creating a mark before catching the ball. The receiving team could then opt to put the ball into play (usually with a scrum) or opt for a goal from mark. It made sense back then since kicking was the only way you could score. Touchdowns weren't worth any points, it just gave you a "Try at Goal", now commonly referred to as an extra point.
@@Hilbert123 Even earlier. Love it!
Get ready. The No Fun League will strike it next season.
It's important to note, that the time doesnt actually matter. You can do a free kick whenever after a fair catch.
thats crazy. i can see this having a big impact on how the game is played
Apparently if the kick is missed, the other team gets to run it back and then has possession, so it only makes sense to do at the end of a half. Plus, it was the penalty that brought them close enough to have a realistic chance of making it. Very specific set of circumstances!
"hey you guys wanna like, you know, play the game?"
"nah our Offense blows, give us the free points and take the ball back."
There’s no point in doing it with time on the clock as any team would obviously try to score a TD, but doing it at the end of a half keeps possession away from the other team and if it’s missed it’s treated like a kickoff. It’s a no-rush field goal which makes the kickers job so much easier and the only other option they had was an unlikely Hail Mary.
@@sbeebs1419 I know, I’m just pointing out that you could if you wanted to.
The Chargers head coach knows football.
and how to cheat at it.
He said postgame it’s his favorite obscure rule, he even said he tried a 71 yard fair catch kick when he was the head coach with the 9ers because he wanted one so bad lmao
The 49er Super Bowl he was in - shoulda tried it! Had a fair catch at the end.
Been a broncos fan for 52 years. Team never fails to disappoint.
Did you know Elway?
havent you won fucking 3 super bowls or whatever? what more do you want
The game is still ongoing, and there's already a video about it! Awesome!!
Anyhow, I'm pretty new to watching the sport, and I didn't even know this was a thing. I was going, "huh, you can do that?" :D
Many people who have watched for years (myself included) didn't know this existed either!
Me As well it definitely isn't in Madden or Cfb 25 either 😂
1:04 YES PLEASE. MAKE THE KICKOFF 1 POINT! Move it back to the 35
ROUGE!
@@aaroncatron2306 The 1 on scorigami that could occur... my god. My god. It's beautiful
@@Blaarg3211 point is possible if you get a safety on a pat
@@dp_2113you mean 2 point conversation
@@dp_2113 yes but a 1-0 score is impossible, a 1 point kickoff FG would make it possible
Cant wait to see McAfee's comments on this, you know hes gonna go wild
The Chargers pulled a Belichick move. Nice call, Harbaugh.
I'm not sure knowing the rules is a Belichick move. It's just knowing the rules!
Remember when Harbaugh tried this when he coached the 49ers
How did the Bears not sign Harbaugh man 😭
Because the Bears President is the former Big Ten Commissoner Kevin Warren. He and Harbaugh hate each other
😮
I have literally waited my entire life to view a successful fair catch kick. It is my absolute favorite obscure sports rule. That was amazing.
A couple of years ago I was watching a nephew play in a high school state playoff game in the Falcons then Dome. They did this play. A coaching staff from a college team was sitting near us in this almost empty stadium. I leaned forward and asked one of the coaches what just happened and he had no idea either. the team did not make it.
Bill Belichick is smiling after seeing this special teams play happen and succeed.
Growing up I heard my dad bring up the free kick at least 200 times. I am sure that I was in the top 1% of knowing the most about free kicks as a child. People have called me a liar when I have brought up this rule before. It's so fricking cool to see it finally be made for the first time in 48 years.
Quick Q for everyone: did you notice that when you remove the -"eron" part of his 1st name, then switch 1st letters btwn 1st & last names...instead of
CAM DICKER, we get:
DAMN KICKER.
Just too damn perfect, innit?
Was so confused when this happened live, told myself "just wait for Isaac"
I got to see this live tonight with my 5 yr old son who believe it or not is totally into football. One of the best games this season!
Fair catch kick wasnt on my bingo card today
Just imagine if you'd placed a bet on it 😅
I would love to see more of these types of plays in the NFL!
And more flea flickers, and more laterals on regular plays!
Or my childhood favorite….the “Statue Of Liberty”…..haven’t seen this on in NFL since old NFL films. :)
Interestingly enough the last free kick field goal made was in 1976 by the Chargers.
Was dressed as a freshmen when my high school coach managed to pull off the Fair Catch Free kick DURING HOMECOMING. What a highlight that was.
Moments like this... is why in high school I was a 275pd. Kicker. They wanted me on Defense so bad... but I LOVED Special Teams -- for exactly this!
First things first, thank you Chargers for this win after the Bucs... BUT i was refreshing knowing that there was gonna be a video here soon lol... thank you for the content as usual!
Just imagine the people that went to the bathroom before the end of the half "to avoid the rush"...
Doubt they cared. It’s not like it was some magical play or even exciting.
That was the beginning of the end for Denver. They were up 24-10. The Chargers scored that kick, then two TDs to go up 27-24. And they were never caught.
The last time this was attempted they didnt know you could kick like a kickoff and missed by a mile. Finally got to see it done right.
Wow that is wild to think I was at the game today and had no idea that what they did was so special.
Dicker the kicker has been killing it
jim harbaugh tried one with phil dawson on the niners too
I just happened to start watching the game live right when this happened, nice to see history made live!
The more rugby in football the better.
I saw saw Vince Lombardi pull this rule on the Bears in the 60s. Coach Hallas was livid. "You can't do that!". Thing is, Lombardi read the rule book, cover to cover, every year. There were times when he was teaching the refs what it said. +3 pts.
Taught me an important lesson - read the rules yourself. It's helped me often, such as when dealing with legislation in the Calif Asssembly, or putting together an "open jaw' (NY - SF, then LA - NY) round trip ticket that the airline agent told me I couldn't do, until I showed her the rule. :)
Was watching the game and dozing off, nice to know in one of the 5 minute segments that I was asleep that I missed history lol
Random rule idea the traditionalists will hate… PAT’s are taken like free kicks but they are taken in line with the position the ball crossed the enzone (the same way rugby conversions are taken)
i remember hearing about this and thinking it would never happen. ty chargers
I think I was at the game in Buffalo when the Chargers did it in 76.
buried rules that rarely ever get used make the game more interesting
Unreal how quickly you put this together!!!
Man, never thought I'd see the day. Gridiron football is getting more and more like rugby every day.
It is essentially American rules Rugby, Football Internationally is called Soccer in America, weird.
@@gentilewarriorno it’s quite a bit different than Rugby. Nice try though.
Yes it’s soccer over here, get over it.
@frankiethefrog1752 didn't say it's the same but it evolved from Rugby brought by the English settlers just like Australian rules Rugby brought by the English in Australia.
@@gentilewarrior yea evolution of ideas, music, culture, food, etc is very common in the world…
This channel is doing for football special teams what Jomboy Media did for baseball, great stuff
This fair catch free kick almost happened in the Patriots 34-28 OT win against Atlanta in Super Bowl 51. After New England tied it up 28-28 and forced Atlanta to punt, New England fair caught the ball with time for one more play. If the ball was just a few yards closer, Pats would have attempted a free kick field goal for the win. Coming back from down 3-28 and then winning on a free kick that most people do not even know about, that would have melted some people’s minds.
Age of the kickers, this is coming back for sure
I had forgotten about this. Didn’t know it was still in play. I remember as a kid the drop kick
It does not surprise me that a Jim Harbaugh coached team would do something that nobody ever heard of. Him or Belichick.
I literally just learned that this play existed the other week and I was stunned this rule even existed. Now a few weeks later, my team successfully kicks one. It’s funny how these things happen lol.
Yesssir that's my fantasy kicker, Go Dicker The Kicker!
Who knew. Opens up a lot of interesting strategy situations. Odds of kicking a 55 yard field goal are about 50-50 now, and those are contested ones.
AI robots with from Boston Scientific with human foot prints will soon rule the game that is already controlled.
That is awesome. We need all of the Jim Harbaugh back in the nfl we can get!
Was watching this at a bar on a projector without audio and literally no one in the entire bar knew what was going on
I'm so happy I was watching this game live, and I almost NEVER say that on Thursday night!
Now we can finally call out sport Foot-ball.
Never sprinted so fast to a vid in my life
This was a huge history moment
This is awesome. You can draw a literal connection to Australian Rules football with “marks” and “free kicks”.
Wow. It reminds me of Flutie's dropkick.
Football has a little kicking ... Sometimes 1 and sometimes 3 points...
It's apparently based on an old rugby rule that has since been repealed. I love obscure rules like this. Well done Chargers for knowing the rulebook.
I remember david ray missing a 50 yarder vs. the colts on Monday night in 1971. A 50 percent toe kicker
Maybe this is what Charlie Brown could have done if Lucy ever held the ball down for him.
Payton needs to give up the play calling after that 2nd half😭
Yes!!!!
I had a made Free Kick on my "Trifecta Bet".... been waiting on this to come through since '79....
Lol...
You said words and I saw moving images.
Still have no idea what just happened.
Broncos punted, chargers punt reciever made a "fair catch" since the clock expired during the punt, the rule is that the chargers can do what's called a "free kick" from the spot of the fair catch. Since the fair catch was at midfield, they went for it.😊
Crazy thing is I watched a video on here just recently about obscure and strange rules in the NFL. This one was mentioned and they said that it never happens anymore. And here we are.
This happened when I was in high school. Everyone was like, "What's happening". Lol
As a 49ers fan it’s nice to see good special teams finally 😂
I have been watching football since 1962 and have never heard of this!
I was bartending when this happened earlier today and I just kept hearing everyone go "wtf is happenings right now!" Lol pretty fun night
At this rate, I’ll be an old ass man by the time we see this again
That’s not 50 years it’s 2024 bro 😆
It was awesome to watch! Didn't even know about this rule! Learned something new today! 😂
First game of the season back in 1964 both the eagles and packers tried a fair catch free kick just before half in their respective games. The eagles missed and so did paul Hornung up in Green Bay.
It used to be a common play back in the 60s when the goal posts were on the goal line, not 10 yards back
Credit to NFL kickers that grew up playing soccer too…this has changed everything…!
I KNEW Isaac would be on top of this as soon as I saw them out for free kick formation 😂
Dicker the Kicker, does it again.
More, more, more--- that makes the game more interesting!
Nate Kaeding would’ve missed that free kick😅
Very glad to be watching this very rare occasion
Let's go!!! And then Denver must've watched your videos with an earlier first down field goal at the end of the game. It would've been even better had they had 3 timeouts.
Glad the Bolts won! 💪🏼⚡️
It’s basically a field goal without the line
The reason you don't see it that often is because it surrenders first, second, and third down. It only makes sense if you're in the final seconds of a half, or if you're down by 9 or 10 points with only 2 minutes to go and know you need every other second of those remaining two minutes to get 7 points.
NFL has become to mechanical and corporate. We need .more trick plays, pooch punts, free kicks,etc
The key.. no defensive pressure to block the kick.. Surprised it took so long between successful attempts.