Ineligible Receiver Downfield
 

For some reason I have a mental block with this rule, but the wording seems
a bit confusing:

"... a penalty that is called when a forward pass is thrown and an ineligible receiver is beyond the line of scrimmage without blocking an opponent at the time of the pass."


1. Ball is snapped and as the QB is dropping back, the left offensive tackle runs downfield. At seven or eight yards, he throws a block on the strong safety. The QB throws a pass to a flanker on the right side.

2. Ball is snapped. QB drops back. Left tackle drive blocks the defender over him and pushes him back four or five yards. The QB then throws a pass downfield.

Are both of these examples penalties?

Both are penalties, but not Ineligible down field. These sound more like OPI.

Peace

So if the OT just ran downfield, an ineligible receiver downfield penalty would be called at the time the QB releases the ball?

I still don't get where the without blocking an opponent at the time of the pass comes in.

If he's just downfield and not blocking, he's an ineligible receiver downfield.

If he's downfield but within two yards of the NZ and he's blocking, it's nothing.

If he's downfield and blocking, he's an ineligible receiver downfield and it's offensive pass interference.

Got it. Thank you.

...if the pass is thrown in that direction.

And the pass crosses the LOS.

That is not required for OPI. I'd apply it as a standard if the ball were already in the air and the blocking began.

Don't forget that OPI restrictions begin on the snap and that blocking down field can be a signal to the defense that a running play is developing.

No.

7-5-12

Ineligible A players may not advance beyond the expanded neutral zone on a legal forward pass play before a legal forward pass that crosses the neutral zone is in flight. If B touches the pass in or behind the neutral zone, this restriction is terminated. An ineligible is not illegally downfield if, at the snap, he immediately contacts a B lineman and the contact does not continue beyond the expanded neutral zone.

...before a legal forward pass that crosses the neutral zone is in flight.

Doesn't the NFL rule differ here in the case of screen passes? I.e., if a forward pass is thrown and it doesn't cross the LOS, a flag will be thrown if an ineligible lineman is past the ENZ.

In college ball, it isn't a penalty as long as the pass is completed behind the LOS. Here, it becomes
a penalty only when the forward pass crosses the neutral zone.

Yes the NFL rule is different, but most of us do not work that level to know for sure what the exact language is in their rule (And I am sure someone will look up the NFL rule and post it here).

Peace

From 2013 NFL standards, a little verbose but.....

Section 3 Ineligible Player Downfield
LEGAL AND ILLEGAL ACTS
Article 1 Legal and Illegal Acts. On a scrimmage play during which a legal forward pass is thrown, an ineligible offensive
player, including a T-formation quarterback, is not permitted to move more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage
before the pass has been thrown.
Item 1: Legally Downfield. An ineligible player is not illegally downfield if, after initiating contact with an opponent within
one yard of the line of scrimmage during his initial charge:
(a) he moves more than one yard beyond the line while legally blocking or being blocked by an opponent; or
(b) after breaking legal contact with an opponent more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage, he remains
stationary until a forward pass is thrown; or
(c) after losing legal contact with an opponent more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage, he is forced behind
the line of scrimmage by an opponent, at which time he is again subject to normal blocking restrictions for an
ineligible offensive player.
Note 1: If an offensive player moves beyond the line while legally blocking or being blocked by an opponent, an eligible
offensive player may catch a pass between them and the line of scrimmage.
Item 2: Illegally Downfield. An ineligible offensive player is illegally downfield if:
(a) he moves more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage without contacting an opponent; or
(b) after losing contact with an opponent within one yard of the line of scrimmage, he advances more than one yard
beyond the line of scrimmage; or
(c) after losing contact with an opponent more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage, he continues to move in
any direction.
Penalty: For ineligible offensive player downfield: Loss of five yards from the previous spot.
AFTER PASS IS THROWN
Article 2: After Pass Is Thrown. After the ball leaves the passer’s hand, ineligible pass receivers can advance more than
one yard beyond the line of scrimmage, or beyond the position reached by their initial charge, provided that they do not
block or contact a defensive player, who is more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage, until the ball is touched by a
player of either team. Such prior blocking and/or contact is pass interference if it occurs in the vicinity of where the ball is
thrown.
A.R. 8.30 Second-and-10 on A30. Center A1 blocks his man and drives him to the A35 where he loses contact. He then moves
laterally to his right before the ball is thrown and completed to eligible end A2 who is downed on the A45.
Ruling: Ineligible

A great example of the reality that there are 3 separate and distinct Rules codes, that often contradict each other. What may be perfect for the goose, simple does not apply to the gander.

Oh my. :D