1. Illegal Touching & Offensive Pass Interference Meeting of 13 Oct 05

2. 2 Our Mission Discuss the rule differences between one kind of offensive pass interference and illegal touching. Demonstrate our knowledge of the rule differences by answering the quiz questions correctly.

3. 3 Basics: Eligible receivers—every player on B For A, it means a player who is legally in the backfield (2-30-3) or on the end of the line of scrimmage(2-24-2, 2-30-9) at the snap and Who is wearing an eligible number. (1-49, 80-99)

4. 4 Definitions Bat (2-2): intentionally slapping or striking the ball with the arm or hand. Catch (2-4): the act of establishing player possession of a ball in flight Muff (2-26): the act of touching… of a loose ball by a player in an unsuccessful attempt to secure possession.

5. 5 Ineligible receiver By number—any A player with an ineligible number (50-79) no matter where they are lined up. By position: An interior lineman (someone not on the end of the line) at the snap or someone who is in “no man’s land” at the snap. Fundamental VII-1: an A player who is eligible at the snap remains an eligible receiver throughout the down.

6. 6 Illegal Touching (7-5-13) Is the foul that occurs when an ineligible A player catches, bats, or muffs a legal forward pass in or behind A’s neutral zone. This rule differentiates between accidental touching (being hit by the ball, for example) and intentional touching—catching, batting or muffing the legal forward pass.

7. 7 Illegal Touching This foul takes place behind A’s neutral zone. The penalty is 5 yards and a loss of down. Since this always occurs during a loose ball play, the spot of enforcement is the spot of the foul (the spot where ineligible A catches, bats or muffs the pass).

8. 8 Offensive Pass Interference 7-5-10 There are 3 kinds of OPI, we will only discuss one type tonight: 7-5-10-c: If an ineligible A player touches a pass beyond the neutral zone before a player of B has touched it, he has committed offensive pass interference. This foul includes all types of touching, to include being touched by the ball.

9. 9 More definitions Forward pass (2-29-2): ball thrown so that it’s initial direction is forward Touching (2-43): refers to any contact with the ball, either by touching or being touched by it. Neutral zone during a scrimmage down (2-27): is expanded up to 2 yards behind the defense during a scrimmage down. So, for OPI, if any ineligible A player is touched by a pass, or touches a pass, beyond the neutral zone.

10. 10 Offensive Pass Interference It takes place beyond A’s LOS. The penalty is 15 yards and a loss of down. Since this always occurs during a loose ball play, the spot of enforcement is the previous spot

11. 11 When does an ineligible A player become eligible? When B touches the pass. 7-5-6b When do OPI restrictions end? For all A players, when B touches a legal forward pass. 7-5-9a For eligible A players, when A touches a legal forward pass. 7-5-9b

12. 12 Illegal TouchingOPI #3-Touching Pass Neutral ZoneIn or behindBeyond WhoIneligible A WhatCatch, bat or muff Touch or being touched Penalty5 yards, LOD15 yards, LOD Enforcement spot Spot of touchPrevious spot

13. 13 Legal Forward Pass Ball behind Neutral Zone Ball beyond Neutral Zone Can ineligible receiver bat, muff or catch? NO—Illegal touching, 5 yards & LOD 7-5-13 NO—OPI, 15 yards & LOD 7-5-10b Can ineligible receiver be touched by pass? YESNO—OPI, 15 yards & LOD 7-5-10b

14. 14 Situation #1 (SG 5.12) 2nd and 10 @ A-30. Ineligible A1 tries to catch A2’s forward pass at his a) 28 yard line, or b) 35 yard line. In each case he touches the ball. RULING: In a), illegal touching—3rd and 17 @ A-23. In b), it is offensive pass interference, resulting in 3rd and 25 @ A-15.

15. 15 Situation #2 (SG 5.13) 2nd and 10 @ A-30. Ineligible A1 is hit in the back by A2’s forward pass at his a) 28 yard line, or b) 35 yard line. RULING: In a), no foul. In b), it is offensive pass interference, resulting in 3rd and 25 @ A-15.

16. 16 Situation #3 (SG 5.III.12) A1’s forward pass is deflected by B2 at the line and caught by A3, who is wearing #62 behind the line. RULING: Legal catch. All ineligible players become eligible when B touches the pass.

17. 17 Situation #4 (SG 5.III.13) At the snap A #35 is neither legally on the line nor in the backfield. He runs 10 yards downfield and catches a forward pass. RULING: A #35 has committed 3 fouls: illegal formation, ineligible receiver downfield, and offensive pass interference.

18. 18 Situation #5 (SG 5.III.20) A1 drops back to pass and throws forward. The pass is deflected by B2 behind the neutral zone and is touched by A #75 beyond the neutral zone before it falls incomplete. RULING: It is not offensive pass interference because all restrictions ended when the pass was touched by a Team B player.

19. 19 Situation #6 (7.5.7C) A1 throws a pass that is touched behind the neutral zone by B7. The pass touches ineligible A2 beyond the neutral zone and falls incomplete. RULING: Pass interference has not occurred since B touched the ball in or behind the neutral zone.

20. 20 Situation #7 (7.5.13B) A1's forward pass is deflected by B1 and then caught by interior lineman A2 behind the neutral zone. RULING: No foul has occurred as A2 became an eligible receiver after B1 touched the pass.

21. 21 Our Mission Discuss the rule differences between one kind of offensive pass interference and illegal touching. Demonstrate our knowledge of the rule differences by answering the quiz questions correctly.

22. 22 Thank you!