FOOTBALL OFFICIATING

PHILOSOPHIES

Clarification of Blocking

Rules

Clarification of

Blocking Rules

Blocking Notes

All takedowns should be called regardless of the position of the

player on the field or whether or not it occurs at the point of attack.

If there is a potential for offensive holding but the action occurs

away from the point of attack and has no effect on the play, offensive holding should not be called.

If there is a potential for defensive holding but the action occurs

away from the point of attack and has no effect on the play, defensive holding will not be called.

Clarification of

Blocking Rules

Blocking Notes

For blocks in the back, if one hand is on the number and one

hand is on the side, and the initial force is on the number then it is a block in the back

The force of the block could be slight and still a foul if the contact propels the player forward or prevents him from making the play.

If the force is clearly on the side, even if the approach is from the rear, it is not a foul.

OFFENSIVE LINE OF

SCRIMMAGE GUIDELINES

On the Line of Scrimmage An offensive player is “on the line of scrimmage” when he faces his

opponent’s goal line with the line of his shoulders parallel thereto and his head breaking the plane of the line drawn through the waistline of the snapper.

A. If the offensive player is lined up with his head between the waistline of the snapper and a line drawn through the rear end of the snapper a warning will be given after the play. Each team will be given one warning per game. After the warning players who are in this position will be penalized.

B. If the offensive player is lined up with his head behind the rear end of the snapper a foul will be called without warning.

OFFENSIVE LINE OF

SCRIMMAGE GUIDELINES

On the Line of Scrimmage

An offensive wide receiver or slot back will be

given some leeway in determining if he is off the

line of scrimmage

Clarification of Pass

Interference Rules

Defensive Pass Interference

Contact by a defender who is not playing the ball and such contact restricts the receiver’s opportunity to make the catch.

Playing through the back of a receiver in an attempt to make a play on the ball.

Grabbing a receiver’s arm(s) in such a manner that restricts his opportunity to catch a pass.

Defensive Pass

Interference

Extending an arm across the body of a receiver thus restricting his ability to catch a pass, regardless of the fact of whether or not the defender is playing the ball.

Cutting off the path of receiver by making contact with him without playing the ball.

Hooking a receiver in an attempt to get the ball in such a manner that it causes the receiver’s body to turn prior to the ball arriving.

Face guarding (does not require contact)

Restricting movement (holding jersey?)

Not Defensive Pass

Interference

Actions that do not constitute defensive pass interference include but are not limited to:

Incidental contact by a defender’s hands, arm 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.

Inadvertent tangling of feet when both players are playing the ball or neither player is playing the ball.

Laying a hand on a receiver in an attempt to make a play on the ball that does not restrict the receiver.

Contact by a defender who has gained position on a receiver in an attempt to catch the ball.

Offensive Pass Interference

Actions that constitute offensive pass interference include

but are not limited to:

Blocking downfield by an offensive player prior to the ball being

touched if the pass crosses the neutral zone.

Initiating contact with a defender by shoving or pushing off thus

creating a separation in an attempt to catch a pass.

Driving through a defender who has established a position on the

field.

Not Offensive Pass Interference

Actions that do not constitute offensive pass interference include but are not limited to:

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.

Inadvertent tangling of feet when both players are playing the ball or

neither player is playing the ball.

OPI will not be called on a screen pass where the ball is overthrown

behind the line of scrimmage but subsequently lands untouched clearly beyond the line of scrimmage and linemen are blocking downfield, unless such blocking prevents a defensive player from catching the ball

Pass Interference Notes

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 or if the pass does not cross the neutral zone, but defensive actions such as tackling a receiver can still result in a penalty for defensive holding.

OFFICIATING

PHILOSOPHIES

OPI – contact away from the play.

• If pass has not been thrown and block/contact

occurs anywhere downfield and the pass crosses

the line of scrimmage – call OPI

• If pass has been thrown and block/contact occurs in

the half of the field where ball is thrown – call OPI

OFFICIATING PHILOSOPHIES

Intercepting Momentum

• If the interception is near the goal line try to

make the play a touchback.

OFFICIATING PHILOSOPHIES

Passing situations

• When in doubt, a pass that goes near the line of scrimmage, it

is behind the line of scrimmage

• Neutral zone will be expanded by two yards when determining an ineligible player downfield.

• Passer beyond the line – Passer’s foot must be touching

beyond the line

OFFICIATING PHILOSOPHIES

Contacting runner near the sideline.

• If contact occurs before the runner has a foot down out of

bounds – legal

Runner continues down the sideline and has

eased up.

• If whistle has blown and player has eased up then this is a

foul. Be alert and be sure any action is not part of the initial

play before calling foul.

OFFICIATING PHILOSOPHIES

Following a Change of Possession

The ball will be placed where the play

ends(Exception: If there is a change of

possession and the ball position is not critical,

you can place the ball at the nearest yard line)

OFFICIATING PHILOSOPHIES

Defensive Holding on Receiver

Any grab of the receiver’s jersey will be

defensive holding.

• The defender will not be allowed to grab the jersey in an

attempt to stay in position or slow the receiver down.

OFFICIATING PHILOSOPHIES

Kicker’s Restraining Line

The kicker’s restraining line on kickoffs will be

officiated as a plane. Any player, other than

kicker or holder, breaking the plane before the

ball is kicked should be called encroachment.

OFFICIATING

PHILOSOPHIES

If not sure if the passer’s arm is moving forward,

rule incomplete.