<P> The fair catch kick is a rule at the professional and high school levels of American football that allows a team that has just made a fair catch to attempt a free kick from the spot of the catch . The kick must be either a place kick or a drop kick, and if it passes over the crossbar and between the goalposts of the defensive team's goal, a field goal, worth three points, is scored to the offensive team . </P> <P> The fair catch kick has its origins in rugby football . The rule is considered to be obscure and unusual, as most fair catches are made well out of field goal range, and in most cases a team that has a fair catch within theoretical range will attempt a normal drive to score a touchdown . The fair catch kick is generally used when a team has fair caught a ball within field goal range and there is insufficient time to score a touchdown . At the professional level, the last successful fair catch kick was made in 1976 . </P>

When do you get a free kick in nfl