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.
Backward Pass
1. Any pass not forward is regarded
as a backward pass. A pass parallel to the line is a backward pass. A runner
may pass backward at any time.
2. A backward pass that strikes the
ground can be recovered and advanced by either team.
3. A backward pass caught in the
air can be advanced by either team.
4. A backward pass in flight may
not be batted forward by an offensive player.
Fumble
1. The distinction between a fumble
and a muff should be kept in mind in considering rules about fumbles. A
fumble is the loss of player possession of the ball. A muff is the touching
of a loose ball by a player in an unsuccessful attempt to obtain possession.
2. A fumble may be advanced by any
player on either team regardless of whether recovered before or after ball
hits the ground.
3. A fumble that goes forward and
out of bounds will return to the fumbling team at the spot of the fumble
unless the ball goes out of bounds in the opponent’s end zone. In this
case, it is a touchback.
4. On a play from scrimmage, if an
offensive player fumbles anywhere on the field during fourth down, only
the fumbling player is permitted to recover and/or advance the ball. If
any player fumbles after the two-minute warning in a half, only the fumbling
player is permitted to recover and/or advance the ball. If recovered by
any other offensive player, the ball is dead at the spot of the fumble
unless it is recovered behind the spot of the fumble. In that case, the
ball is dead at the spot of recovery. Any defensive player may recover
and/or advance any fumble at any time.
5. A muffed hand-to-hand snap from
center is treated as a fumble.