07_125366 ch03.qxp
58
5/15/07
7:04 PM
Page 58
Part I: Football 101 Illegal low block: Players on the receiving team are prohibited from blocking below the waist during a down in which a kickoff, safety kick, punt, field goal attempt, or extra point try occurs. Piling on (automatic first down): When a ball carrier is helpless or prostrate, defenders must refrain from jumping onto his body with excessive force with the possible intention of causing injury. Roughing the kicker (automatic first down): A defensive player may not make any contact with the kicker if the defensive player hasn’t touched the kicked ball. Sometimes this penalty is committed by more than one defensive player as they attempt to block a kick or punt. Roughing the passer (automatic first down): The NFL wants to protect its star players, so this penalty is watched closely. Once the quarterback has released the ball, a defensive player may make direct contact with the quarterback only up through the rusher’s first step after his release. Thereafter, the rusher must attempt to avoid contact and must not continue to “drive through” or forcibly contact the passer. The defensive player is called for roughing if he commits intimidating acts such as picking up the passer and stuffing him into the ground, wrestling with him, or driving him down after he has released the ball. Also, the defender must not use his helmet or face mask to hit the passer. Twisting, turning, or pulling an opponent by the face mask: Simply grasping an opponent’s face mask is a 5-yard penalty. However, if the opponent grasps the face mask and then twists, turns, or pulls it, thus recklessly turning that player’s head or neck, he’s charged with a 15-yard penalty. If the referee considers the action flagrant, that player may be disqualified from the game. Unnecessary roughness: This penalty has different variations: • Striking an opponent above the knee with the foot, or striking any part of the leg below the knee with a whipping motion • Tackling the ball carrier when he’s clearly out of bounds • A member of the receiving team going out of bounds and contacting a player on the kicking team • Diving or throwing one’s body on the ball carrier when he’s defenseless on the ground and is making no attempt to get up • Throwing the ball carrier to the ground after the play is ruled dead (which is when an official has blown the whistle) Unsportsmanlike conduct: This penalty applies to any act that’s contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship, including the use of abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures to opponents, officials, or representatives of the league; the use of baiting or taunting acts or words that engender ill will between teams; and unnecessary contact with any game official.