Offensive pass interference
Penalty: Offense
What it is
On a forward pass, a receiver pushes off or blocks a defender so that the defender cannot play the ball.
The penalty
The penalty is 10 yards from the previous spot, and the down is replayed. The ball goes back ten yards from the spot where the previous play began, and the down is replayed.
More detail
The most common version is the push-off: the receiver extends his arms to create space just before the catch.
Animated play
Blue circles are the team with the ball. X marks the other team. The yellow oval is the ball.
- The receiver runs a route downfield with a cornerback right beside him.
- Just before the ball arrives, he pushes the defender to get free.
- The official throws a flag. The ball goes back ten yards from where the play started, and the down is replayed.