New Philosophies
C – Pass Interference
Passing Philosophies - DPI
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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
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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
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Playing through the back of a receiver in an
attempt to make a play on the ball.
DPI – Arm Grab
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Actions that do not constitute defensive pass
interference include but are not limited to:
Not DPI – Incidental Contact
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Although DPI is possible to call, contact must
be clear and obvious on a «Hail Mary» pass
to rule pass interference.
Offensive Pass Interference
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Actions that constitute offensive pass
interference include but are not limited to:
OPI – Push Off
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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
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Driving through a defender who has
established a position on the field.
OPI – Blocking Downfield
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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
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Catchability is one of the requirements to
have OPI on a thrown ball.
OPI – Contact Downfield
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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
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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.
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Not OPI – Tangled Feet
Inadvertent tangling of feet when both players
are playing the ball or neither player is playing
the ball.
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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.
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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.
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Not OPI – Shoulder to Shoulder
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OPI is not to be called on a look-in pass
where contact is shoulder to shoulder.
Not OPI – Defensive Player
Blocking
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It is not OPI on a «pick play» if the defensive
player is blocking the offensive player when
the pick occurs.
Pass Interference Notes
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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
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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
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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.