Rule Review & Insights

Offensive Pass Interference Rule Review

Study the rule language, judgment keys, enforcement notes, and common officiating mistakes.

Rule Foundation

What to know

7-3-8-B: Offensive pass interference
OPI often involves a receiver creating illegal separation through a pick, block downfield, or push-off before the pass arrives. Remember that both the offense and defense have equal rights to play the ball. Pass interference rules apply only during a down in which a legal forward pass crosses the neutral zone. Actions that constitute offensive pass interference include but are not limited to the following four categories:
1. Initiating contact with a defender by shoving or pushing off thus creating separation in an attempt to catch a pass
2. Driving through a defender who has established a position on the field
3. Blocking downfield during a pass that legally crosses the line of scrimmage
4. Picking off a defender who is attempting to cover a receiver

Training Takeaway

Find the restriction: did the offense create separation illegally?

Take Offensive Pass Interference Quiz Back to Training Path
Judgment Keys

Look for these first

  • Identify whether contact creates separation or restricts a defender’s ability to cover.
  • Know the timing of the pass and the location of the contact.
  • Recognize picks and route combinations designed to screen or block defenders. It is the responsibility of the offensive player to avoid the opponents.
  • Separate incidental route contact from material restriction.
Common Misses

What officials miss

  • Not seeing the details and ball watching instead of focusing on the players hands/material restriction.
  • Ignoring a push-off because the pass is completed cleanly. Be alert for unnatural body movement by defenders after being pushed.
  • Calling minor contact that did not create separation or restriction.
Enforcement

After the flag

Confirm the pass, restriction, and spot/enforcement details before reporting.

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