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College Football/Pass Interference penalty
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Question
Why does there seem to be inconsistent ball placement when pass interference is called? Sometimes 15 yards, automatic first down, and sometimes placed at the spot of the foul unless in the end zone. Does the crew get to decide?
Bob
Thank you for the question. The officiating crew does not get to arbitrarily decided enforcement spots. The enforcement is dictated by rule. Below I will address the NCAA rules for pass interference enforcement.
Please know that Pass interference enforcement is different under NFL, NCAA and High school Rules, so that may add to what you are thinking is inconsistent.
Offensive pass interference (OPI) is always a 15 yard penalty from the previous spot unless the foul is enforced half the distance to the goal line. I suspect your question is more about defensive pass interference (DPI).
Defensive pass interference is contact beyond the neutral zone by a Team B/defensive player whose intent to impede an eligible opponent is obvious and it could prevent the opponent the opportunity of receiving a catchable forward pass. When in question, a legal forward pass is catchable. Defensive pass interference occurs only after a legal forward pass is thrown.
The penalty enforcement for DPI is Team A’s (or the offensive team) ball is placed at the spot of the foul and an automatic first down. If DPI occurs fewer than 15 yards beyond the previous spot (spot where the ball was snapped, it is enforced at the spot of the foul.
If DPI occurs 15 or more yards beyond the previous spot (spot where the ball was snapped), Team A gets the ball and a first down, 15 yards from the previous spot. Hence a 15 yard penalty.
When the ball is snapped on or inside the Team B 17-yard line and outside the Team B two-yard line, and the spot of the DPI foul is on or inside the two-yard line, the penalty from the previous spot shall place the ball at the two-yard line by rule and an automatic first down.
No penalty enforcement for DPI from "outside the two-yard line" may place the ball inside the two-yard line Except on the Try when the snap is at the three-yard line (Rule 10-2-5-b).
If the previous spot was on or "inside the two-yard line", first down and half the distance between the previous spot and the goal line.
The NFL places the ball at the spot of the foul except when in the end zone .
BOB THANKS FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND RATING. IF YOU HAPPEN TO FIND SOME OF THESE GAMES OR PLAYS PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I WILL LOOK INTO THIS IN THE OFF SEASON. I AM NOT AWARE OF DPI BEING ENFORCED AS A SPOT FOUL MORE THAN 15 YARDS. IF THIS IS THE CASE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I CAN GET SOME FILM CLIPS ON IT SO I CAN PRESENT THIS IN THE OFF SEASON AT OUR REGULAR MEETINGS TO MAKE SURE THIS DOESN'T OCCUR NEXT YEAR. THANKS AGAIN
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| Comment | Spot foul enforcement has happened in NCAA games, often penalizing more than 15 yards. I wish that I had some specifics to cite. Thank you for the speedy response. Very clear. | ||
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Vic Winnek
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Will Answer all queries RE: Rules of Football - NCAA & Federation; Officiating; Instruction on Football; Mechanics & application of rules; Setting up Instructional programs and clinics for: Officials, coaches and media; Liability Issues (Legal & Insurance questions)arising from coaching, playing, refereeing, product liability. Serve as an Consultant and Expert Witness in Football Related Matters in Tort and Contract (Standard of Care for: officials, coaches, players, assignors, BOD; Player, equipment, field & stadium Safety; Fee issues, independant contractor workers compensation. History of the College football game -its evolution. MY PURPOSE IS TO INFORM & EDUCATE FANS, MEDIA, THOSE INTERESTED IN FOOTBALL ABOUT: THE RULES, THEIR APPLICATION, PHILOSOPHIES; OFFICIATING; LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVING FOOTBALL. I WILL NOT RESPOND TO BASHING OF TEAMS, COACHES OR OFFICIALS. I will not dignify rude or disparaging comments with a response, nor entertain questions that use profanity or questions that suggest Football officials are corupt, such an insinuation is ridiculous and ludicrous.
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