Offensive pass interference

Offensive pass interference is the penalty when the receiver butts the defender in and leaves the opponent without the chance to play the ball. Such an advantage costs the receiver and its teammates 10 yards.

The rulebook defines this penalty as the position of a receiver more than one yard facing the defender and affecting the opponent’s ability to defend the pass. Any physical contact automatically launches the penalty call. However, the mutual contact is incidental and has no corresponding consequences. Illegal pick is another form of this penalty when the receiver runs into or cuts ahead of the defender.

This penalty is rare compared to the defensive variety. One team commits the illegal pick or pass interference every three games, while the defense causes the penalty at least once per game. This penalty call must squeeze between the snap and the receiver’s catch. The potential actions considered foul are grabbing any defender’s body part and cutting the defender’s path without ball possession, which is illegal.

10 yards is the price of the rule violation. Canadian Football League evaluates it with 10 yards, too. High school and collegiate authorities consider it stricter – 15 yards of penalty. The defense can decline the penalty if the result is advantageous for them. These examples include the interceptions or recovered fumbles.