What it is

On a forward pass, an offensive lineman or another player who may not catch passes runs more than one yard past the line of scrimmage before the ball is thrown.

The penalty

The penalty is 5 yards, and the down is replayed. It is flagged on passing plays, where the linemen should still be blocking near the line. The penalty is enforced from the line of scrimmage.

More detail

It is a common flag on screen passes and run-pass options, where linemen leave the line quickly to block downfield.

Animated play

Blue circles are the team with the ball. X marks the other team. The yellow oval is the ball.

1. On a passing play, the offensive linemen are not allowed to catch the ball, so they may not run more than a yard past the line of scrimmage before the pass is thrown.
2. Here a lineman releases downfield while the quarterback is still looking to throw.
3. The official throws a flag: five yards, and the down is replayed.