What it is

A blocker grabs, hooks or pulls a defender to stop him, instead of blocking with open hands in front of the body.

The penalty

The penalty is 10 yards, and the down is replayed. The yards are measured from the spot of the foul, or from where the ball was snapped if the foul happened behind the line. The down is replayed. If it happens in the offense’s own end zone, the defense scores a safety.

More detail

It is one of the most frequently called penalties in football, because a lineman’s hands are always near the body of the rusher in front of him. It often wipes out a long gain and puts the offense in a long-yardage situation.

Animated play

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

1. A lineman is blocking a pass rusher so the quarterback has time to throw.
2. The rusher gets a step on him, and the lineman grabs his jersey and pulls him back instead of blocking with open hands.
3. The official throws a flag. The penalty is ten yards from the spot and the down is replayed.