DPI/OPI OHSAA State Football Officials Clinic July 30, 2011

7-5-6 & 7 Pass eligibility rules apply only to a legal forward pass. Pass interference restrictions only apply beyond the NZ and only if the legal fwd pass, untouched by B in or behind the NZ, crosses the NZ. Pass interference restrictions are in effect for all A and B players until the ball is touched or the pass is incomplete

7-5-9 Pass interference restrictions on a legal forward pass begin for: –A with the snap –B when the ball leaves the passer’s hand Restrictions end for: –Eligible A when the pass has been touched by any player –Ineligible A when B touches the pass –All B players when the pass has been touched by any player

It is forward pass interference if: –Any player who is beyond the NZ interferes with an eligible opponent’s opportunity to move toward, catch or bat the pass. –Any player hinders an opponent’s vision without making an attempt to catch, intercept or bat the ball, even though no contact was made

It is not interference if: –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 B lineman and the contact does not continue beyond the expanded NZ –Contact by B is obviously away from the direction of the pass

DPI IMPEDE RESTRICT 5 Categories for DPI Not Playing the Ball Playing Thru the Receiver Grabbing the Receiver’s Arm Cut Off Hook & Turn

DPI NOT PLAYING THE BALL If the defender is playing the man and not the ball, and there is contact, it is likely a foul (with face guarding exception). If the defender turns his head to find the ball prior to contact, it is likely not a foul. If the defender makes contact and then turns his head to look for the ball, it is likely a foul.

DPI PLAYING THRU THE RECEIVER Contact with the offensive player’s body prior to touching the ball is likely a foul. If there is contact and the receiver’s head/shoulders come forward prior to the ball being touched by the defender, it is a foul. If the ball is touched prior to contact, it is not a foul.

DPI ARM GRAB/ ARM BAR This subtle move is becoming more common and it is likely being taught. This is often done where it is only visible from the middle of the field so help from the back judge is necessary.

DPI CUT OFF The defender moves into the path of the receiver and knocks him off his route while the ball is in the air. The defender rides the receiver out of bounds or off of his route.

DPI HOOK AND TURN The defender’s hand/arm is hooked around the waist/hip of the receiver and is used to twist the receiver just prior to the ball arriving.

NOT DPI INCIDENTAL CONTACT, FOOT ENTANGLEMENT, LAYING HAND IN THE BACK, DEFENDER IN POSITION FIRST It is not pass interference when unavoidable contact occurs when two or more eligibles are making a simultaneous, bona fide attempt to move toward, catch or bat the pass

OPI SEPARATION PICK/BLOCKING DOWNFIELD

OPI PICK/BLOCKING DOWNFIELD This usually occurs when there is a double set of receivers. The first receiver to leave the line of scrimmage will pick for the second receiver. There must be deliberate contact

OPI CREATING SEPARATION (PUSH OFF) This is done just prior to the ball arriving The receiver’s actions need to provide a clear separation and hands on a body does not necessarily constitute a push off.

OPI DRIVING THROUGH

NOT OPI  Immediate contact by A against a B lineman that does not extend past the expanded neutral zone is not OPI.  Eligible players of either team have equal rights to the ball.