Federation version of illegal contact downfield

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by MNBlue

When I was a wing, I would generally have to call it once or twice a season. Anywhere on the field, if the 'A' player is no longer a potential blocker, and the 'B' player tries to push him off his route, you have illegal use of hands.

It happens quite a lot with underclassmen who don't know how to play defense.

I have called it multiple times a season now, because more teams are passing across the board. There was a time you would be lucky if both teams passed more than 10-15 times. Yesterday one of the teams passed on every down. The opportunities have gone up greatly. I usually give the benefit of the doubt if it is unclear to me if the receiver is running a route.

Peace