Why is the offensive PI so severe (15 yard penalty and loss of down)?

DPI is 15 yards and auto 1st down.

IMHO, Makes sense that if DPI warrents 1st down, OPI should warrent a loss of down.

Many times a player will committ OPI in hopes of keeping an OBVIOUS interception from occuring. They shouldn't get to replay IMO.

Interesting. Maybe it's due to the nature of the game, but up here in Canada, I might call 3 OPIs in ~ 65 games per season and never has one been because there's an obvious interception looming.

Originally posted by JugglingReferee

Quote:

Interesting. Maybe it's due to the nature of the game, but up here in Canada, I might call 3 OPIs in ~ 65 games per season and never has one been because there's an obvious interception looming.

Looks kinda strange throwing a flag for OPI from the offensive backfield, doesn't it? ;)

Only in NFHS. NCAA does nto include loss of down.

You may see a change...
 

Several states are experimenting with different (lighter) penalty enforcment. If memory serves me they are experimenting with:
a) 5 yards and loss of down, OR,
b) 15 yards and no loss of down.

Can't remember which states are doing what however Crystal ball says look for a change within the next two to three years.

We have a hiccup in Canada:

Let's say that there is OPI and DPI on the same play, and the DPI occurred less than 15y past the LS.

The DPI (normally a spot foul, and is just 1 of 3 spot fouls we have) is treated as a 10 yard foul.

OPI is always 15. So, if DPI (< 15) & OPI are on the same play, the offense is actually penalized 5 yards more, and the down is repeated.

There is an additional major point...the balance between offense and defense.

The offense knows the play will be a pass and what route the potential receivers will take - the defense knows neither. To offset this, the offense can only send a few people downfield to catch a pass and they are restricted from blocking from the time of the snap through when the pass is caught (assuming the pass does go downfield). For the defense, the restrictions apply only while the pass is actually in the air.

So, if a receiver, who already has the "advantage" of knowing a pass is about to happen and to where, interferes with a defender's right to the ball, a more severe penalty is in order than just a distance penalty and replay.

That being said, I like what I read about some states experimenting with a lesser penalty of 5 yards and loss of down.