ENRUES
All penalties

Roughing the passer

Penalty: Defense

What it is

A defender hits the quarterback after he has thrown the ball, hits him high or low, or drives his full body weight onto him as he brings him down.

The penalty

The penalty is 15 yards, plus an automatic first down. The penalty is enforced from the spot of the foul, and the offense gets a first down.

More detail

The rules protect the quarterback because he cannot defend himself while throwing. Defenders are taught to wrap up, rather than land on top of him.

Animated play

101020203030404050504040303020201010END ZONEEND ZONEXXXXXHit after the ball is goneRoughing the passer15 yards, plus a first downAutomatic first downThe quarterback drops back and throws.The pass is complete, and a late rusher still hits him.

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

  1. The quarterback throws the ball and the pass is on its way.
  2. A defender who could not stop in time hits him, late, after the ball is gone.
  3. The officials flag roughing the passer: fifteen yards and an automatic first down.