Illegal Use of Hands/Pass Interference/Nothing
 

NHFH Rule Code for all Situations (in all cases a legal forward pass crossing the NZ is thrown by A):

Situation 1:
A88 lines up as wide receiver... starts downfield, approaches DB cuts as he approaches DB, (A88 is no threat to block DB) DB waits until A88 is next to him, gives him a shove causing A88 to change his route (DB is taught this technique to help safety). Ball has not been thrown at time of contact. Pass crossing NZ is thrown, to other side of field. What do you have if anything?

Situation 2:
Same as Situation 1 except A88 loses balance after contact by DB and falls to ground. What do you have if anything?

Situation 3:
A89 lines up as tight-end; A88 lines up as wide-out other side of line. Both A89 and A88 go 3 yards downfield at snap and do sharp turn-in for a crossing pattern. B51 playing middle linebacker knocks A89 off balance as he cuts in front of him. A10 drops back to pass, throws pass crossing NZ. What do you have if anything?

Thanks for any feedback/comments.

These all are subject to officiating philosophy.

1.) & 2.) Nothing. Just like we do not call a hold on the opposite side of the field of the point of attack, we do not call PI (or illegal use of hands in this case since it was before the pass was thrown) if the pass is not thrown to the general area that the players occupy. Both situations are talk-to's to make players aware.

3.) Crossing patterns are plays that have to be seen to determine if a foul occurred. Too much going on to get an adequate description with words IMO. In general, a receiver bearing down across the middle can be seen as a potential blocker, especially from the TE lined up on the LOS. Depending on the contact that occurred and A89's path taken to get within the vicinity of B51 (again, would have to see this), this could be nothing.