Regarding face guarding in college football. I was told by a college official - that there is no face-guarding in college football (no contact), but if the defensive player waves his hand back-and-forth/side-to-side, that IS face guarding, and would result in a PI.

Any thoughts.

Thanks in advance.

If that is what the guy told you, he is mistaken. There MUST be CONTACT in order to have pass interference called under NCAA rules. Some guys get confused because you can have kick catch interference without contact (i.e. an act like you described) but cannot have PI without contact.

TXMike,

Here is what I was told: If the Defensive Back, has his back to the ball, he is allowed to extend his arm (no contact and no interference); but he is not allowed to wave his arm back-and-forth continuously, with his back to the ball. (no contact, but interference) That made it an act to deceive, and would be interference.

This was about 8 years ago, and by a Big East official.

I can only hope he misunderstood you or youmisunderstood himbecause that is clearly an incorrect statement. How in the heck is that an attempt to deceive???

Slippery,

Like Mike said, the rules are pretty cllear on PI. There is no such thing as non-contact PI in the NCAA rules. In fact, the specific rule reads: Defensive pass interference is CONTACT beyond the neutral zone by a Team B player whose intent to impede an eligible opponent is obvious and it could present the opponent the opportunity of receiving a catchable forward pass. Further down the page: Physical contact is required to establish interference.

I would bet that either you misunderstood the official, or the official is misinformed, because this is one of those rules that is pretty specific. Intent to deceive is not referenced anywhere in the PI rules.

Okay, then what is this call?

If the WR is coming over the middle, I as the Safety; extend my arm in "clothes line" fashion swinging it at the WRs head, I do not make any contact. I do this to intimidate the WR with the potential to severely harm him. So there is no interference if I make no contact?

Well what you are describing now seems like a very different play. I would have to see the act to be sure but it could be called "fighting" because it is an "attempt to strike an opponent with the arm, whether or not there is contact" in a combative manner unrelated to football. What's wrong with just playing straight up football????

TXMike,

I appreciate your time and response.

Here is the problem. When a CB is playing press coverage, he will have his back to the ball on many fade-type patterns. The CB will extend his arm in the possibility or hope of deflecting the ball or disrupting the vision of the WR. This type of technique is used throughout college ball. (D1A) Again, with no contact, perfectly legal.

Now, if it is legal to wave your arm in the above situation, why not do it. By waving the arm back-and-forth, it increases the possibility of deflecting the ball and could further disrupt the field of vision of the receiver. If waving of the arm is legal, then why isn't this technique taught by the coaches? (you never see it)

On my second post I should have said: Attempt to distract, instead of deceive.

On the third post, I was trying to focus on "no contact rule".

[Edited by slippery rock on Nov 10th, 2002 at 05:08 PM]

HS coaches in Texas, where we use NCAA rules, do teach the technique. Makes a lot of fans mad because they are thinking NFL when they see it and want a flag.

Face Guarding is legal in the NFL. Just like the NCAA there must be some form of contact in order to have pass interference.

I think that rule was changed either last year or this year as it was illegal in the past, which is why so many people still think it is illegal.

To make matters worse, I still got at least one complaint a week that I didn't call face guarding (Tx Jr. High and High School). If the coaches and parents only knew half of what the thought they did....