What is pass interference in football?
What Counts as Pass Interference
Pass interference occurs when a player significantly hinders an opponent's opportunity to catch a pass beyond the line of scrimmage. This includes contact like pushing, holding, or tripping before the ball arrives.
In the NFL, both offensive and defensive players can commit pass interference. Defensive pass interference is more common and is penalized by placing the ball at the spot of the foul.
Offensive pass interference, such as pushing off to create separation, results in a 10-yard penalty from the previous spot.
- Contact before the ball arrives
- Playing through the opponent's back
- Grabbing the jersey or arm
- Cutting off the receiver's route
Penalties and Enforcement
In the NFL, defensive pass interference is a spot foul, meaning the offense gets the ball where the foul occurred, plus an automatic first down. If the foul is in the end zone, the ball is placed at the 1-yard line.
In college football, defensive pass interference is a 15-yard penalty from the previous spot, not a spot foul, unless it's intentional and egregious.
In high school, the penalty is 15 yards from the previous spot and does not include an automatic first down.
Judgment and Review
Officials must judge whether contact materially affected the receiver's ability to catch the ball. Incidental contact is not a foul.
Since 2019, pass interference calls and non-calls have been reviewable in the NFL, though the rule was adjusted after one season. In college, it is not reviewable except in specific conferences.
Common mistakes
- Thinking any contact is pass interference; incidental contact is allowed.
- Believing pass interference is always a spot foul; in college and high school, it's a fixed-yardage penalty.
- Assuming offensive pass interference is rare; it's called when a receiver pushes off to get open.
