NFHS Pass Interference Presenter: Rich Czarnecki PIAA District 3

Pass Interference Rules Apply When: (Rule 7-5-7) There is a Legal Forward Pass; Legal Forward Pass Crosses the Neutral Zone; Legal Forward Pass is Untouched by Team B In or Behind the Neutral Zone; Interference Occurs Beyond the NZ. All of the Above Must Be Present.

Forward Passes Legal Except When: (Rule 7-5-2) Pass After Team Possession Has Changed During a Down Pass From Beyond the Neutral Zone Pass Intentionally Thrown into an Area not Occupied by an Eligible Offensive Player Pass Intentionally Thrown Incomplete to Save Loss of Yardage or to Conserve Time (Exception: Grounded After a Hand-to-Hand Snap) A Second or Subsequent Forward Pass Thrown During a Down

PASS INTERFERENCE RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT (Rule 7-5-8) For all A and B Players until the ball is touched or the pass is incomplete. Restrictions for A begin at the snap. Restrictions for B begin when the ball leaves the passer’s hand.

PASS INTERFERENCE RESTRICTIONS END (Rule 7-5-9) For all A players , when B touches a legal forward pass; For all eligible A players when A touches a legal forward pass. Ineligible A players may not touch pass can legally block to ward off an opponent; For all B players when legal forward pass touched by A or B.

FOWARD PASS INTERFERENCE OCCURS IF: (7-5-10) Any A or B player who is beyond the neutral zone interferes with an eligible opponent’s opportunity to move toward, catch or bat the pass. May have “intentional” pass interference (15 yard tack on).

ELIGIBLE PASS RECEIVERS All A players eligible by legal position and number at the snap (legally on the end of the line or in the backfield - total of 6 and numbered 1-49 or 80-99). All A players when B touches the ball. All B players. Players eligible at start of down remain eligible through out the down.

NOT FORWARD PASS INTERFERENCE IF: (7-5-11) Unavoidable contact occurs when two or more eligibles are making a simultaneous, bona fide attempt to move toward, catch or bat the pass. Contact by A is immediately made on a team B lineman and the contact does not continue beyond the expanded neutral zone. Contact by B is obviously away from the pass.

HIGH PROBABILITY FOR PASS INTERFERENCE When a defender gets beat and is in a chase mode (DPI) When a defender bites on a fake (DPI) When A is on the 5 yard line and in (OPI)

CATEGORIES of DEFENSIVE PASS INTERFERENCE ARM BAR – Arm across the body restricting the opponent’s movement. HOLD – Grabbing an opponent preventing him from reaching the pass. NOT PLAYING THE BALL – Not making a bona fide effort to reach the pass (NOW ONLY IF CONTACT). PLAYING THROUGH THE BACK – Contacting an opponent through the back even when making an effort to get to the pass. HOOK AND TURN – Hooking the arm around the waist or shoulders and turning the opponent while attempting to get to the pass. CUT-OFF – Restrict or prevent an opponent from moving toward a pass.

CATEGORIES of OFFENSIVE PASS INTERFERENCE BLOCKING DOWNFIELD – Blocking an eligible A receiver before the pass has been touched (Picks). CREATING SEPERATION – Pushing off and creating a separation advantage (Most common). DRIVING TOWARD DEFENDER WHO HAS POSITION.

PASS INTERFERENCE MISCONCEPTIONS Legal forward pass must be “catchable” to have pass interference. (NFHS NOT REQUIRED) Face guarding regardless of contact(not making a bona fide play on ball) Touching of a pass by an ineligible beyond the neutral zone is offensive pass interference. (Illegal Touching)

PASS INTERFERENCE PENALTIES If by A: 15 yards If by B: 15 yards plus first down Basic Spot: Previous Spot If intentional by A or B: Additional 15 yard penalty from succeeding spot