Pass Interference

[sloth]

I had a play last night that I didn't drop the flag on, but could have for DPI. Freshman game, reciever is running a fly pattern defender is right behind. The pass is underthrown and the head wind didn't help out much. The recieve starts to slow up, defender slows up as well...its obvious the corner has no clue where the ball is and doesn't want to interfer with the reciever. The defender puts his hands in the air, uncler to me (at U/BJ...three man) if his intentions are to block vision or not touch the reciever. Ball falls 7-8 yards short of reciever, never any contact between the defender and the reciever. I didn't throw the flag. I understand that catch-ability isn't a criteria, but in my mind I define face gaurding as a very specific action.

In my judgement, unless the defenders hand is within a foot or two of the recievers face, it isn't face gaurding. In my mind the is a distinct difference between placing ones hands in the air and actively trying to block a reciever vision. Later the white hat said he thought that it was face gaurding, but the more i think about it and the more I reflect on my descision, I don't think I would drop the flag had the same play happened again.