Pass interference - change in NFHS rule

[Ed Hickland]

Originally posted by kentref
This past season I had several situations where defensive backs were using a lot of contact, (mainly a lot of repeated "bumping" trying to knock the receiver off stride), when the receiver was making no attempt to block. In situations where the passer is on the same side of the field (as the receiver being "bumped"), and looking at the same receiver, do you throw the flag (for holding) on this?
If the receiver is not making an attempt to block the def. back then how much "contact" should we allow the def. back in these type of situations?

Technically, there should be no blocking and/or bumping past the expanded neutral zone.

If the ball is not in the air and you judge the defender gained an advantage by his contact, then flag it. Once the ball is in the air contact that in your judgement gains an advantage, then flag it.

Same for the offensive receivers, of course, their contact becomes pass interference regardless of the ball being in the air.

These are tough calls because often they do not appear on the camera, especially, the illegal use of the hands. I think anytime a defender disrupts a route of a receiver there is an advantage gained because it takes away one possible choice of the QB, primary or secondary receiver, it does not matter.