Eligible Receiver Blocking

[Ed Hickland]

One of my crew members reported to me that in a JV game an eligible receiver went downfield about 5 yards and blocked a defender legally. Then continued downfield and caught a pass.

When he reported to the referee he was told that was legal.

I thought A was restricted from hindering B at the snap and the penalty was offensive pass interference.

I am incorrect?

[seanireland]

You are correct. Offensive restriction starts with the snap. Flag the OPI when the ball crosses the NZ. Legal pass? yes. Untouched by B in or behind NZ? Yes. PI beyond the NZ? Yes. A hinders B = Loss of 15 and loss of down. If the PI is intentional. Add 15 yards.

[James Neil]

Yes you are Ed . NF 7-5-8a... Pass interference restrictions on a legal forward pass begin for A with the snap.
The only time A can block beyond his LOS on a forward pass play is if the contact by A is immediately on a B lineman and the contact does not continue beyond the expanded neutral zone.

[AndrewMcCarthy]

Originally posted by James Neil
The only time A can block beyond his LOS on a forward pass play...

The ONLY time?!? Good thing this isn't the Fed test!! If the forward pass is completed behind the NZ or the pass was touched behind the NZ by B then all is well.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally posted by James Neil
The only time A can block beyond his LOS on a forward pass play is if the contact by A is immediately on a B lineman and the contact does not continue beyond the expanded neutral zone.

I agree - this sounds like a T/F question on a test that's false, but trying to trick you into answering true.

They, of course, can block in the aforementioned cases, and also they can block after the ball is caught.

[kentref]

Ed:
You are correct.
If you have an eligible downfield blocking and your tackle key indicates it's a pass play the only way the eligible doesn't draw a PI flag is if the pass is behind the neutral zone, (or the pass isn't thrown and the play ends up a running play).
As a wing official, I would prefer to flag the PI and then if it ends up a running play or a pass behind the neutral zone, you can wave off the flag.

[James Neil]

Originally posted by mbcrowder

I agree - this sounds like a T/F question on a test that's false, but trying to trick you into answering true.

They, of course, can block in the aforementioned cases, and also they can block after the ball is caught. [/B]

Originally posted by AndrewMcCarthy
The ONLY time?!? Good thing this isn't the Fed test!! If the forward pass is completed behind the NZ or the pass was touched behind the NZ by B then all is well. [/B]

Well CURTIN-RODS! You two caught me being lazy big time , dad-gum-it! LOL I also realized this as soon as I posted. I should have known I couldnÂ’t get away with such an incomplete ruling. At least not around here I won't. Good catch you guys

[Bob M.]

Originally posted by kentref
Ed:
You are correct.
If you have an eligible downfield blocking and your tackle key indicates it's a pass play the only way the eligible doesn't draw a PI flag is if the pass is behind the neutral zone, (or the pass isn't thrown and the play ends up a running play).
As a wing official, I would prefer to flag the PI and then if it ends up a running play or a pass behind the neutral zone, you can wave off the flag.

REPLY: Just a comment on your technique...I would respectfully recommend that you throw the flag for OPI only after a pass is thrown. Throwing the flag for potential OPI on a run just because your interior blocking key showed pass is incorrect. Put the OPI "in the bank" and only throw (back toward the spot of the OPI) when the pass is thrown. Then if you find that the pass did not cross the NZ, have the R wave it off. This is the way that the NFL and NCAA handles the situation.

[kentref]

Originally posted by Bob M.

REPLY: Just a comment on your technique...I would respectfully recommend that you throw the flag for OPI only after a pass is thrown. Throwing the flag for potential OPI on a run just because your interior blocking key showed pass is incorrect. Put the OPI "in the bank" and only throw (back toward the spot of the OPI) when the pass is thrown. Then if you find that the pass did not cross the NZ, have the R wave it off. This is the way that the NFL and NCAA handles the situation.

Good point on the mechanic that should be used.