Definition of Pass Interference

• Pass interference is the act of physically keeping an eligible receiver from having a fair chance to catch a thrown football. This can involve grabbing, holding, pushing or intentionally tripping the opposing player--basically, any act which impedes a player's attempt to gain possession of the ball.
  
  

Limitations of Pass Interference

• For contact to be considered pass interference, it must meet certain criteria. First, it must be intentional, not accidental. Also, it must occur after the ball has been thrown but before any other player on the field has tipped or touched it.
  
  

Defensive Pass Interference Rules

• The most common violations of the NFL pass interference rules occur on defense. When a defensive lineman, linebacker or defensive back commits such a foul on an offensive player, the result of the penalty is that the offense gets the ball at the spot of the foul and is awarded a first down.
  
  

Offensive Pass Interference Rules

• However, according to NFL rules regarding pass interference, defensive players are also considered eligible receivers and have a right to try to catch a thrown ball as well. If an offensive player intentionally interferes with such an attempt, it is called offensive pass interference and results in a 10-yard penalty against the offensive team.
  
  

Related Penalties

• In the National Football League, if a defensive player intentionally and physically obstructs an opposing receiver before the ball is thrown, a holding penalty is called, and the offensive team receives a first down. This penalty is like pass interference in all ways except that the ball cannot have been thrown already, and it is legal within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage.