1. Region One Football Officials Association
Rule Topics:
Pass Interference Rule 2-31, 7-4, 7-5
We Are All Here to Learn

2. Definitions What is a pass? Who is eligible to catch a pass?
Throwing the ball that is in player possession
Ball must travel in flight & must been thrown towards opponents end line
Who is eligible to catch a pass?
Team A players by position (on end of LOS or behind the LOS) and # (1-49 or 80-99)
All Team A players when (B) touches a legal forward pass
All Team B players
A player eligible at the start of the down remains eligible throughout the down
When is a pass considered complete?
Pass caught by any A or B player. Ball may be advanced.
Caught by ineligible A player. Live ball penalty.
Intercepted by B player
Pass simultaneously caught by opponents. Ball becomes dead& belongs to A (unless it was 4th down and the line to gain was not reached)
When is a pass considered incomplete?
Pass touches the ground
Pass goes out of bounds
Pass possessed by an airborne player but first touches the ground out of bounds (unless carried out of bounds by opponent)

3. Forward Passes What is a legal forward pass?
Player of (A) throws the ball with both feet in or behind the neutral zone when the ball is released forward
Only 1 forward pass may be thrown during a down
Pass ends when it is caught, touches the ground, or goes out of bounds
What make a forward pass illegal?
Pass after team possession has changed
Pass from beyond the neutral zone
Pass intentionally thrown in area not occupied by eligible (A) player
Pass intentionally thrown to save yardage or conserve time
EXCEPTION: Legal to intentionally throw ball forward to the ground immediately after direct hand-to-hand snap
2nd pass & subsequent pass thrown forward during a down
Penalty for (a); 5-yard penalty from end of run
Penalty for (b) – (e): 5-yard penalty from end of run, plus loss of down

4. Backward Passes
Definition: Pass thrown with its initial direction parallel with or toward the runner’s end line
Backward pass ends when caught, recovered, or goes out of bounds
Any player in possession may make a backward pass during a down
Player who catches or recovers backward pass/fumble may advance it
Ball belongs to team making backward pass, unless it is lost after 4th down, if the ball:
Goes out of bounds between the goal lines
Becomes dead inbounds while no player is in possession
Becomes dead while inbounds while in joint possession of opponents
If backward pass/fumble is out of bounds behind the goal line, then the ball belongs to team defending that goal & result is either a touchback or safety
If backward pass/fumble is declared dead, while in no player possession, in the endzone of opponent of the player who threw backward pass or fumbled, then result is a touchdown

5. Other Passing Fundamentals
Illegal Touching of Forward Pass
Any ineligible (A) player intentionally touches a forward pass by batting, muffing or catching a legal forward pass (Note: if touched by B first, such touching is ignored)
If pass hits lineman in back behind the LOS, there is no foul
5-yard penalty from basic spot, plus loss of down
Ineligible Player Downfield
Ineligible (A) players cannot advance beyond neutral zone on legal forward pass until it crosses the neutral zone
If pass touches (B) in or behind neutral zone, then there cannot be ineligibles downfield
Blocking by ineligibles cannot continue beyond the expanded neutral zone on a pass downfield
5-yard penalty from previous spot

6. Pass Interference Basics
Forward Pass Interference Definition
The interference of any A or B player beyond the neutral zone who hinders an eligible opponents opportunity to move toward, catch or bat a pass
Interference Restrictions
Can only occur when:
Legal Forward pass
Pass crosses neutral zone
Pass is untouched by B in or behind the neutral zone
Interference occurs beyond neutral zone
Begins for (A) at the snap
Begins for (B) when the ball leaves the passer’s hand
Ends for all (A) eligible players when ball has been touched by any player
Ends for ineligible (A) players when (B) touches the ball
Ends for all (B) players when pass has been touched by any player
Ends all players when the pass is incomplete
Penalty is 15-yards from previous spot, (there is no loss or down or auto 1st down)

7. More Basics & Philosophies
Not Interference if:
Unavoidable or incidental contact occurs by 2 or more eligible players making a simultaneous, bona fide attempt to move toward, catch or bat a pass (or neither player is playing the ball)
Contact by (A) made immediately on a (B) lineman that does not continue beyond the neutral zone
Contact by (B) away from the direction of pass
If in doubt whether player contact is incidental, the ruling should be NO interference
Defensive players have as much right to the path of the ball as eligible offensive players
Timing is very important
Must have a material effect
Know who initiates contact 1st

8. Pass Interference DPI (6 categories) OPI (3 categories)
Not Playing the Ball
Play Through the Back
Grab & Restrict
Arm Bar
Cut Off
Hook & Restrict
OPI (3 categories)
Create Separation
Drive Through
Block Downfield

9. DPI – Not Playing the Ball
Early contact by defender not playing the ball is DPI provided the other requirements for DPI have been met, regardless of how deep pass if thrown to receiver

10. DPI – Play Through the Back
Playing through back of defender in attempt to make play on the play.

11. DPI – Grab & Restrict
Grab & Restrict receiver’s arm or body in such a manner that restricts his opportunity to catch pass.

12. DPI – Arm Bar
Extending an arm across the body (arm bar) of a receiver thus restricting his ability to catch a pass, regardless of the fact of whether or not the defender is looking for the ball.

13. DPI – Cut Off
Cutting off or riding the receiver out of the path to the ball by making contact with him without playing the ball.

14. DPI – Hook & Restrict
Hooking and restricting a receiver in attempt to get to the ball in such a manner that causes the receiver’s body to turn prior to the ball arriving.

15. OPI – Create Separation
Initiate Contact with defender by shoving or pushing off thus creating separation in attempt to catch pass
Look for extension or separation
Could be quick push before ball arrives – key is look for separation

16. OPI – Driving Through
Drive through a defender who has establish position on the field

17. OPI – Block Downfield
Contact by (A) made immediately on a (B) lineman that does not continue beyond the neutral zone is Legal.