a. During a down in which a legal forward pass crosses the neutral zone, illegal contact by Team A and Team B players is prohibited from the time the ball is snapped until it is touched by any player or an official. b. Offensive pass interference is contact by a Team A player beyond the neutral zone that interferes with a Team B player during a legal forward pass play in which the forward pass crosses the neutral zone. It is the responsibility of the offensive player to avoid the opponents. It is not offensive pass interference:
1. When two or more eligible players are making a simultaneous and bona fide attempt to reach, catch or bat the pass. Players of either team have equal rights to the ball. 2. When the pass is in flight and two or more players are in the area where they might receive or intercept the pass and an offensive player in that area impedes an opponent, and the pass is not catchable.
c. Defensive pass interference is contact beyond the neutral zone by a Team B player whose intent to impede an eligible opponent is obvious and could prevent the opponent the opportunity of receiving a catchable forward pass. When in question, a legal forward pass is catchable. Defensive pass interference occurs only after a legal forward pass is thrown. d. It is not defensive pass interference:
1. When two or more eligible players are making a simultaneous and bona fide attempt to reach, catch or bat the pass. Eligible players of either team have equal rights to the ball. 2. When a Team B player legally contacts an opponent before the pass is thrown.
PENALTY—Team A’s ball at the spot of the foul, automatic first down, if the foul occurs fewer than 10 yards beyond the previous spot. If the foul occurs 10 or more yards beyond the previous spot, Team A’s ball, automatic first down, Ten yards from the previous spot [S27]. (Note: illegal contact by the defense prior to a legal forward pass is thrown is illegal contact—see 9-4-2.)
When the ball is snapped on or inside the Team B 13-yard line and outside the Team B three-yard line, and the spot of the foul is on or inside the three-yard line, the penalty from the previous spot shall place the ball at the three-yard line, automatic first down.
No penalty enforced from outside the three-yard line may place the ball inside the three-yard line (Exception: On the Try when the snap is on or inside the three-yard line).
If the previous spot was on or inside the three-yard line, first down halfway between the previous spot and the goal line.
