What it is

The neutral zone is the space between the two lines of scrimmage, the length of the ball. Before the snap, no player may be in it.

In a game

The ball sits in the middle of the zone. The offense is behind its edge and the defense behind the other.

More detail

A defender who enters it and touches an offensive player is called for encroachment, and one who is just across the line is offside. A quarterback may also try to draw defenders in with a hard count.

Animated play

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

1. The neutral zone is the strip between the two lines of scrimmage. It is as long as the ball.
2. Before the snap, nobody may be in it except the player who snaps the ball.
3. If a defender enters it before the snap, the officials call offside.
4. The offense can also try to lure a defender into the zone with a hard count.