Face guarding. Can someone briefly explain that rule to me. ALSO, is that an NFL rule only? Or does it go for college too?


I would appreciate any info. I have a family member who isn't an offical, but is an expert on everything. Just ask him. :) And he said it had something to do with one hand or two hands up and it is an NFL rule only.

Thanks in advance.

Canadian Ruling
 

DPI or OPI shall be called if an opponent deliberately uses his arms/hands to obsturct the view of a forward pass to the eligible receiver. 15 yards, down repeated.

JR pretty much summed it up. It might be an NFL rule, but I really do not know. It is an NF rule.
It's NOT an NCAA rule as contact is required for pass interference

Even though my posting refers to Canadian rules?

Yep. Amazing, we have something in common after all.

Close ... but not quite. We don't repeat the down. DPI = Automatic first down. OPI = Loss of down. Plus, of course, the fifteen yards, previous spot (NF).

<b>It is not pass interference on the defense for face guarding in the NFL.</b>

In NF (National Federation) it is, but not in the NCAA, or NFL. At those two levels, contact is neccessary to have DPI. I work NFL rules in semi-pro, NAFL, and I can guarentee your friend is wrong. He can go to this site to this site http://www.nfl.com/fans/rules to see many rules defined in a way fans can understand. I don't know if it will answer this specific question, but it is pretty good. I have an official NAFL rule book, which used NFL rules, and it has much more than on the above site.

In NF, it wouldn't have to be two hands, but it usually is for faceguarding.

In Canada, all fouls, except for IG, is either a distance penalty or a loss of down. Only IG is there both.

I suspect this is because we only use 3 downs. 15 + LD on OPI is very steep when you only have 3 downs.

Correct, I was really only commenting on the his definition of "Face Guarding" and whether or not it was a foul in NCAA.

Can you guys post the caseplay or rule cite because I had this discussion with someone recently and couldn't find the proof.

NF: Show that person the illustration at the top of page 65 of the commic book. Rule site is 7-5-10a.
Then show him casebook play 7.5.10 SIT C:
If that doesn't convince him, I guess nothing will.

NCAA: is easy, it says physical contact is required.

Thanks Theisey, thats the one.