New Philosophies

C – Pass Interference

Passing Philosophies - DPI

Most of us are very familiar with the categories, but let's refresh our minds.

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

DPI – Not Playing the Ball

Early contact by a defender who is not playing the ball is defensive pass interference provided the other requirements for DPI has been met, regardless of how deep the pass is to the receiver.

DPI – Playing Through the Back

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

DPI – Arm Grab

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

If a receiver attempts to make a one-handed catch, where is the other hand? Being held?

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 playing the ball.

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.

DPI – Hook and Turn

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

A hand on the hip of the receiver is not a foul in it self. There must be a turn or restriction.

Not DPI

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

Not DPI – Incidental Contact

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.

Not DPI – Tangled Feet

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

Tangled feet by a defender in a chase position may be a foul.

Not DPI - Uncatchable

Contact that would normally be considered pass interference, but the pass is clearly uncatchable.

When in doubt the pass was catchable.

Not DPI – No Restriction

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

Not DPI – Hail Mary Pass

Although DPI is possible to call, contact must be clear and obvious on a «Hail Mary» pass to rule pass interference.

Offensive Pass Interference

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

OPI – Push Off

Initiating contact with a defender by shoving or pushing off thus creating a separation in an attempt to catch a pass.

Look for extended arms and locked elbows.

OPI – Driving Through

Driving through a defender who has established a position on the field.

OPI – Blocking Downfield

If the pass has not been thrown and the block occurs anywhere downfield, call OPI if the ball subsequently crosses the line of scrimmage.

If the pass has been thrown and a block occurs on the overlapping third of the field where the ball is thrown, call OPI.

OPI for blocking downfield can be called even if the passer is legally grounding the ball.

OPI - Catchability

Catchability is one of the requirements to have OPI on a thrown ball.

OPI – Contact Downfield

Both feet of the offensive player must be beyond one (1) yard of the LOS for OPI to be called if all the other criteria are met.

Not OPI

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

Not OPI – Incidental Contact

Incidental contact by a receiver’s hands, arms or body when both players are competing for the ball or neither is looking for the ball.

Not OPI – Tangled Feet

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

Not OPI - Uncatchable

Contact that would normally be considered pass interference, but the ball is clearly uncatchable by involved players.Uncatchable pass signal (S17) should be given.

Not OPI – Overthrown Screen Passes

OPI will not be called on a screen pass where the ball is overthrown behind the LOS but subsequently lands beyond the LOS and linemen are blocking downfield, unless such blocking prevents a defensive player from catching the ball.

Not OPI – Shoulder to Shoulder

OPI is not to be called on a look-in pass where contact is shoulder to shoulder.

Not OPI – Defensive Player Blocking

It is not OPI on a «pick play» if the defensive player is blocking the offensive player when the pick occurs.

Pass Interference Notes

If there is any question whether player contact is incidental, the ruling should be no interference.

Defensive players have as much right to the ball as offensive players.

There is no PI at or behind the line, or if the ball does not cross the line, but defensive action such as tackling a receiver can still be called defensive holding.

Pass Interference Notes

It can be helpful to focus on the waist up, especially the hands. That's where most of the illegal contact will occur.

When contact occurs – find out if both players are playing the ball (looking towards the ball). If one isn't, he is probably guilty. Don't be fooled by players looking back late!

Use mental imagery in your preparation to work a game. «Practice seeing» the arm bar, hook and turn and so on.

Pass Interference Notes

When seeing contact – take a second to digest what you just saw. If you think it was a foul you should be able to categorize it as we have seen earlier. «Illegal contact» is not enough.

If they get beat – they'll cheat! For deep officials it is imperative to keep your

cushion so we can box in the play and get the angles we need to properly call these plays.