DPI/OPI
OHSAA State Football Officials Clinic
July 30, 2011
7-5-6 & 7
• Pass eligibility rules apply only to a legal forward
pass.
• Pass interference restrictions only apply beyond
the NZ and only if the legal fwd pass, untouched
by B in or behind the NZ, crosses the NZ.
• Pass interference restrictions are in effect for all
A and B players until the ball is touched or the
pass is incomplete
7-5-9
• Pass interference restrictions on a legal forward
pass begin for:
– A with the snap
– B when the ball leaves the passer’s hand
• Restrictions end for:
– Eligible A when the pass has been touched by any player
– Ineligible A when B touches the pass
– All B players when the pass has been touched by any
player
7-5-10
• It is forward pass interference if:
– Any player who is beyond the NZ interferes with an
eligible opponent’s opportunity to move toward, catch
or bat the pass.
– Any player hinders an opponent’s vision without
making an attempt to catch, intercept or bat the ball,
even though no contact was made
7-5-11
• It is not interference if:
– Unavoidable contact occurs when two or more
eligibles are making a simultaneous, bona fide
attempt to move toward, catch or bat the pass
– Contact by A is immediately made on a B lineman
and the contact does not continue beyond the
expanded NZ
– Contact by B is obviously away from the direction of
the pass
DPI
IMPEDE
RESTRICT
5 Categories for DPI
Not Playing the Ball
Playing Thru the Receiver
Grabbing the Receiver’s Arm
Cut Off
Hook & Turn
DPI
NOT PLAYING THE BALL
• If the defender is playing the man and not the
ball, and there is contact, it is likely a foul
(with face guarding exception).
• If the defender turns his head to find the ball
prior to contact, it is likely not a foul.
• If the defender makes contact and then turns
his head to look for the ball, it is likely a foul.
DPI
PLAYING THRU THE RECEIVER
• Contact with the offensive player’s body prior to
touching the ball is likely a foul.
• If there is contact and the receiver’s
head/shoulders come forward prior to the ball
being touched by the defender, it is a foul.
• If the ball is touched prior to contact, it is not a
foul.
DPI
ARM GRAB/ ARM BAR
• This subtle move is becoming more
common and it is likely being taught.
• This is often done where it is only visible
from the middle of the field so help from
the back judge is necessary.
DPI
CUT OFF
• The defender moves into the path of the
receiver and knocks him off his route while
the ball is in the air.
• The defender rides the receiver out of
bounds or off of his route.
DPI
HOOK AND TURN
• The defender’s hand/arm is hooked
around the waist/hip of the receiver and is
used to twist the receiver just prior to the
ball arriving.
NOT DPI
INCIDENTAL CONTACT, FOOT
ENTANGLEMENT, LAYING HAND IN THE
BACK, DEFENDER IN POSITION FIRST
• It is not pass interference when unavoidable
contact occurs when two or more eligibles are
making a simultaneous, bona fide attempt to
move toward, catch or bat the pass
OPI
SEPARATION
PICK/BLOCKING DOWNFIELD
OPI
PICK/BLOCKING DOWNFIELD
• This usually occurs when there is a double set of
receivers. The first receiver to leave the line of
scrimmage will pick for the second receiver.
• There must be deliberate contact
OPI
CREATING SEPARATION (PUSH OFF)
• This is done just prior to the ball arriving
• The receiver’s actions need to provide a clear
separation and hands on a body does not
necessarily constitute a push off.
OPI
DRIVING THROUGH
NOT OPI
 Immediate contact by A against a B
lineman that does not extend past the
expanded neutral zone is not OPI.
 Eligible players of either team have equal
rights to the ball.