Pass Interference
1. There shall be no interference with a forward pass
thrown from behind the line. The restriction for the
passing team starts with the snap. The restriction on
the defensive team starts when the ball leaves the
passer’s hand. Both restrictions end when the ball is
touched by anyone.
2. The penalty for defensive pass interference is an
automatic first down at the spot of the foul. If
interference is in the end zone, it is first down for
the offense on the defense’s 1-yard line. If previous
spot was inside the defense’s 1-yard line, penalty is
half the distance to the goal line.
3. The penalty for offensive pass interference is 10
yards from the previous spot.
4. It is pass interference by either team when any
player movement beyond the line of scrimmage
significantly hinders the progress of an eligible player
of such player’s opportunity to catch the ball.
Offensive pass interference rules apply from the time
the ball is snapped until the ball is touched. Defensive
pass interference rules apply from the time the ball is
thrown until the ball is touched.
Actions that constitute defensive pass interference
include but are not limited to:
(a) Contact by a defender who is not playing the ball
and such contact restricts the receiver’s opportunity to
make the catch.
(b) Playing through the back of a receiver in an attempt
to make a play on the ball.
(c) Grabbing a receiver’s arm(s) in such a manner that
restricts his opportunity to catch a pass.
(d) Extending an arm across the body of a receiver thus
restricting his ability to catch a pass, regardless of
whether the defender is playing the ball.
(e) Cutting off the path of a receiver by making contact
with him without playing the ball.
(f) Hooking a receiver in an attempt to get to the ball
in such a manner that it causes the receiver’s body to
turn prior to the ball arriving.
Actions that do not constitute pass interference include
but are not limited to:
(a) Incidental contact by a defender’s hands, arms, or
body when both players are competing for the ball, or
neither player is looking for the ball. If there is any
question whether contact is incidental, the ruling shall
be no interference.
(b) Inadvertent tangling of feet when both players are
playing the ball or neither player is playing the ball.
(c) Contact that would normally be considered pass
interference, but the pass is clearly uncatchable by the
involved players.
(d) Laying a hand on a receiver that does not restrict
the receiver in an attempt to make a play on the ball.
(e) Contact by a defender who has gained position on a
receiver in an attempt to catch the ball.
Actions that constitute offensive pass interference
include but are not limited to:
(a) Blocking downfield by an offensive player prior to
the ball being touched.
(b) Initiating contact with a defender by shoving or
pushing off thus creating a separation in an attempt to
catch a pass.
(c) Driving through a defender who has established a
position on the field.
Actions that do not constitute offensive pass
interference include but are not limited to:
(a) Incidental contact by a receiver’s hands, arms, or
body when both players are competing for the ball or
neither player is looking for the ball.
(b) Inadvertent touching of feet when both players are
playing the ball or neither player is playing the ball.
(c) Contact that would normally be considered pass
interference, but the ball is clearly uncatchable by
involved players.
Note 1: If there is any question whether player contact
is incidental, the ruling should be no interference.
Note 2: Defensive players have as much right to the path
of the ball as eligible offensive players.
Note 3: Pass interference for both teams ends when the
pass is touched.
Note 4: There can be no pass interference at or behind
the line of scrimmage, but defensive actions such as
tackling a receiver can still result in a 5-yard penalty
for defensive holding, if accepted.
Note 5: Whenever a team presents an apparent punting
formation, defensive pass interference is not to be
called for action on the end man on the line of
scrimmage, or an eligible receiver behind the line of
scrimmage who is aligned or in motion more than one yard
outside the end man on the line. Defensive holding, such
as tackling a receiver, still can be called and result
in a 5-yard penalty and automatic first down from the
previous spot, if accepted. Offensive pass interference
rules still apply.
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