Interference

Article 1 – Definitions

• a) Interference is a general term, applicable to both teams. It is committed when a player obstructs, blocks or charges against an opponent, even without direct contact, thereby preventing their approach to the ball carrier, potential ball carrier, or to the ball. Screening is interference without direct contact.
• b) Blocking is a term applicable to the movement of a player against an opponent to obstruct or move him/her in any way, and normally applies to Team A.
• c) Blocking below the waist is making the initial contact below the waist against an opponent, other than the ball carrier, with any part of the blocker's body.
• d) A delayed knee block is a block that occurs when a player blocks an opponent, at or below the knees, while the opponent is engaged with a teammate of the blocker, with or without physical contact.
• e) The use of hands and arms in blocking is legal, provided that:
  • 1. The hands may be slightly behind the elbows, even with the elbows, or in advance of the elbows.
  • 2. The arms may be fully extended.
  • 3. The hands shall be open, with the palms facing the opponent, or cupped or closed with the palms not facing the opponent.
  • 4. The hands and arms are not used in a striking or punching manner, or to grasp, pull, encircle, lift, hook, lock, or clamp an opponent.
  • 5. The hands are not clasped or locked.

On a rolling or cross body block, the hands may be also legally extended from the body.

Article 2 – Team A

• a) On any play from scrimmage, except when the ball is kicked across the line of scrimmage, all Team A players may interfere with opponents from deadline to deadline.
• b) On a kick play, Team A players may interfere with the opponents in and behind the neutral zone, until the ball is kicked, and then as covered in Rule 5.
• c) Interference on a Forward Pass Play Rule 6, Section 4, Article 9 (Forward Pass).
• d) On any play from scrimmage, it shall be illegal for a player to block an opponent below the waist except as per – Rule 7 Section 3 Article 19 (Unnecessary Roughness).

Article 3 – Team B

• a) On any play from scrimmage, B players may use their hands and arms to reach the ball carrier, but shall not hold or encircle any A player other than the ball carrier.
• b) Interference on a Forward Pass Play Rule 6, Section 4, Article 9 (Forward Pass).
• c) Interference on a Kicking Play Rule 5.
• d) On any play from scrimmage, it shall be illegal for a player to block an opponent below the waist except as per – Rule 7 Section 3 Article 19 (Unnecessary Roughness)