NFL Penalty Dictionary

What is it?

Called when a blocker grabs an opponent's body with the hands or arms and clearly restricts his path or ability to disengage. It's one of the most commonly called fouls in the NFL.

Not a foul when

A legal block that uses the hands within the frame of the opponent's body and pushes from the front without grabbing is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

One hand grips the opposite wrist.

Related

What is it?

Called when a set offensive player simulates the start of the play before the snap. It's a dead-ball foul, so the play never begins.

Not a foul when

Legal motion or pre-set adjustments are not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

Both arms rotate over one another in front of the chest.

Related

What is it?

Covers clear contact while a forward pass is in the air that restricts a receiver's path or arms without playing the ball.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact while both players legitimately play the ball, or contact on a pass with no realistic chance of being caught, is usually not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

Both arms thrust forward from the chest.

Related

What is it?

Called when a defender grabs an opponent and clearly impedes his route or movement, including before the pass is thrown.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

One hand grips the opposite wrist.

Related

What is it?

Most commonly called when the offense fails to snap within the play clock. It also applies to deliberate delay by the defense.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Related foul codes

These are officially recorded as separate fouls, but fans usually lump them in with this one.

• Defensive Delay of Game

  The defense delays the next snap after the ball is dead, for example by carrying it away or staying on top of an offensive player.

  Rule 4, Section 7

  Accepted calls, 2021–2025: 5 / 4 / 7 / 7 / 4

• Delay of Kickoff

  The kicking team fails to kick off within the allotted time. The penalty is 5 yards, re-kicked from further back.

  Rule 4, Section 6, Article 5

  Accepted calls, 2021–2025: - / 2 / - / - / -

Referee's signal

Both arms cross in front of the chest.

Related

What is it?

A catch-all foul for contact that isn't necessary to make the play. Many acts fans know by their own name are officially recorded as unnecessary roughness.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Common examples

These are known by their own names, but all are officially enforced as Unnecessary Roughness.

• Late Hit Out of Bounds

  Avoidable contact after the ball carrier has clearly gone out of bounds.

  Rule 12, Section 2, Article 8

• Late Hit After the Whistle

  Hitting an opponent after the whistle has ended the play.

  Rule 12, Section 2, Article 8

• Contact After Forward Progress Is Stopped

  Shoving or throwing down the ball carrier after his forward progress has stopped and the official has ruled the play dead.

  Rule 12, Section 2, Article 8

• Contact with a Player Who Is Down

  Piling weight on or diving into a player who is already down and the play has ended.

  Rule 12, Section 2, Article 8

• Contact with a Player Away from the Play

  Hitting an opponent who has no involvement in the play, well away from the ball.

  Rule 12, Section 2, Article 8

Referee's signal

One fist strikes the opposite wrist.

Related

What is it?

Called when part of a defender's body is beyond the neutral zone at the snap. The play usually continues.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

Hands on the hips.

Related

What is it?

No more than four offensive players may line up in the backfield. Players using a numbering exception also have reporting and alignment requirements.

Not a foul when

It's not a foul if no more than four players are in the backfield and the line, numbering-exception, and eligible-receiver requirements are met.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

Both arms rotate over one another in front of the chest.

Related

What is it?

Covers grabbing the mask's opening to control an opponent's head, not just brushing against it.

Not a foul when

Brief contact without grabbing, pulling, or twisting is usually not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

A clenched fist pulls downward in front of the face.

Related

What is it?

Called when the defense makes contact beyond 5 yards from the line of scrimmage that restricts an eligible receiver's path.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

An open hand touches the opposite shoulder.

Related

What is it?

Covers prohibited hits on a protected passer, such as late contact, forcible blows to the head or neck, or driving him to the ground with the tackler's full body weight.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

The arm swings diagonally downward from the shoulder.

Related

What is it?

Called when a defender enters the neutral zone before the snap and causes a nearby offensive player to react. It's treated as a dead-ball foul.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

Hands on the hips.

Related

What is it?

Covers an eligible offensive player extending the arms to push off, or blocking the defender’s path, to gain a clear advantage while the pass is in the air.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

Both arms thrust forward from the chest.

Related

What is it?

Covers sustained pushing to the face or neck, or controlling the head. The conditions and added penalty differ for offense and defense.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

One hand pushes against the opposite wrist.

Related

What is it?

Called when a passer in the pocket throws to avoid a sack at a spot no eligible receiver could realistically reach. Outside the pocket, the pass must cross the line of scrimmage and meet other exceptions to be legal.

Not a foul when

A legal clock-stopping spike, or a pass thrown from outside the pocket beyond the line of scrimmage, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

Both arms swing diagonally downward.

Related

What is it?

Covers a block that contacts and pushes an opponent from a blind side behind him, above the waist. It's a frequent issue on kick returns.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

One hand touches the back.

Related

What is it?

After two or more players shift position at once, everyone must set for at least one second before the snap.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

Both arms move horizontally back and forth.

Related

What is it?

Called mainly on offensive linemen who advance more than 1 yard beyond the line of scrimmage before a forward pass is thrown.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Related foul codes

These are officially recorded as separate fouls, but fans usually lump them in with this one.

• Ineligible Player Downfield on a Kick

  A separate code for scrimmage kicks. On a punt, only the players on the ends (the gunners) may cross the line before the kick.

  Rule 9, Section 1, Article 2

  Accepted calls, 2021–2025: 5 / 8 / 8 / 6 / 2

Referee's signal

Touch the top of the head, then extend a hand forward.

Related

What is it?

A rule from the dynamic kickoff format introduced in 2024. If the kick hits the ground short of the "landing zone" between the receiving team’s 20-yard line and the goal line, the ball is dead and the receiving team starts its drive from a favorable spot.

Not a foul when

A kick that reaches the landing zone or the end zone, or one an opponent touches first, isn't covered by this.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

One arm extends sideways at shoulder height.

Related

What is it?

Covers unsportsmanlike behavior that isn't about the technique of a play but undermines game order or respect for opponents and officials.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Common examples

These are known by their own names, but all are officially enforced as Unsportsmanlike Conduct.

• Non-Football Act Fouls

  An umbrella term for punching, kicking, and other acts that aren't legitimate football moves. Officially recorded as unsportsmanlike conduct.

  Rule 12, Section 3

Referee's signal

Both arms spread out to the sides.

Related

What is it?

Called when the kickoff goes out of bounds from somewhere other than the end zone before an opponent touches it.

Not a foul when

It's not this foul if the ball goes out of bounds after touching an opponent, or if it goes for a touchback beyond the end zone. In 2026, a touchback on a kick from the 50-yard line is spotted at the 20.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

One arm extends sideways at shoulder height.

Related

What is it?

Covers huddling or snapping with 12 or more players because a substitution wasn't completed. Officially it's split into separate codes for offense, defense, and substitution procedure, but fans just call it "12 men."

Not a foul when

It's not a foul if a substituting player has legally made it back to the sideline, even if 12 players are briefly on the field.

Enforcement

Related foul codes

These are officially recorded as separate fouls, but fans usually lump them in with this one.

• Defensive Too Many Men on the Field

  The defense snaps the ball with 12 or more players because a substitute hadn't fully left the field. The most common of the three.

  Rule 5, Section 1

  Accepted calls, 2021–2025: 36 / 42 / 33 / 53 / 31

• Offensive Too Many Men on the Field

  The offense huddles or snaps with 12 or more players. Treated as a dead-ball foul.

  Rule 5, Section 1

  Accepted calls, 2021–2025: 10 / 16 / 11 / 11 / 8

• Illegal Substitution

  Even with 11 players on the field, a substitute enters and leaves without taking part in the play, or interferes with the opponent’s substitutions.

  Rule 5, Section 2

  Accepted calls, 2021–2025: 4 / 1 / 3 / 3 / -

Referee's signal

Both hands rest on top of the head.

Related

What is it?

Called when a defender crosses the neutral zone and contacts an offensive player before the snap. The play stops immediately.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

Hands on the hips.

Related

What is it?

Covers forcible contact with the shoulder, forearm, or helmet from a direction the opponent couldn't reasonably see coming.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

Both fists strike together in front of the chest.

Related

What is it?

Covers demeaning an opponent, showboating in his face, or throwing the ball at him, or any other provocation aimed at a specific player.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

Both arms spread out to the sides.

Related

What is it?

Called when an offensive player other than the center is in the neutral zone before the snap.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

Hands on the hips.

Related

What is it?

Covers sticking out a leg to hook an opponent's legs instead of blocking or tackling him.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

One leg kicks backward.

Related

What is it?

Called when a player hits below the waist in a situation where low blocking is banned, such as outside the tight-end box or after a change of possession. What fans call an "illegal cut block" (cutting a player down at the legs) falls under this same category.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

Both hands make a chopping motion near the thighs.

Related

What is it?

As a rule, only one offensive player may be in motion at the snap, and that player can't be moving toward the line of scrimmage.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

One arm swings horizontally.

Related

What is it?

Called when a kicking-team player crosses his own restraining line before the ball is kicked.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

Hands on the hips.

Related

What is it?

Applies to either side of the ball when a player lowers his head and makes forcible, linear contact with any part of the helmet.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

A fist touches the side of the head.

Related

What is it?

Called when a player who can't protect himself, such as one who just caught the ball, just threw a pass, or is watching a kick, is hit forcibly in the head or neck, or takes a blow from the helmet.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

Both arms cross in front of the chest, then point to the head.

Related

What is it?

Called when the passer's entire body has crossed the line of scrimmage before throwing, or when a second forward pass is thrown on the same down.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

One hand moves behind the back.

Related

What is it?

Called when a kicking-team player who went out of bounds on his own, not because he was pushed, comes right back and takes part in the play.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

Both hands move in front of the hips to signal out of bounds.

Related

What is it?

Striking with a closed fist, kicking, or repeated blows are all treated as fighting and draw an ejection.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

Both fists strike together in front of the chest.

Related

What is it?

Covers combinations where one player controls a defender's upper body while a second player contacts him at the thigh or below.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Related foul codes

These are officially recorded as separate fouls, but fans usually lump them in with this one.

• Illegal Double-Team Block

  Mostly on kick plays, when two receiving-team players sandwich the same opponent. Like the chop block, this limits two-man blocks.

  Rule 9, Section 3, Article 4

  Accepted calls, 2021–2025: 10 / 2 / 1 / - / 3

Referee's signal

Both hands make a chopping motion near the thighs.

Related

What is it?

Roughing covers heavy contact, such as hitting the kicker's plant leg hard or knocking him down with a body blow. Contact that doesn't meet that bar is Running into the Kicker instead, with a lighter penalty.

Not a foul when

Contact after a blocked kick, or contact that happens because a kicking-team player blocked the rusher into the kicker, is not covered.

Enforcement

Common examples

These are known by their own names, but all are officially enforced as Roughing the Kicker.

• Roughing the Holder

  The holder on a placekick gets the same protection as the kicker. There's been no accepted call under a separate code since 2021.

  Rule 12, Section 2, Article 12

Related foul codes

These are officially recorded as separate fouls, but fans usually lump them in with this one.

• Running into the Kicker

  Contact with the kicker that falls short of Roughing (for example, a hard hit on the plant leg). It's 5 yards with no automatic first down.

  Rule 12, Section 2, Article 12

  Accepted calls, 2021–2025: 5 / 10 / 5 / 5 / 5

Referee's signal

One leg kicks forward. For Running into, a hand is extended forward afterward.

Related

What is it?

Called when, after a valid fair-catch signal, a kicking-team player contacts the receiver or gets in his way and prevents the catch. Once the signal is given, the receiver is protected as a defenseless player.

Not a foul when

Contact after the ball has deflected off another player, or incidental contact that couldn't reasonably be avoided, is an exception.

Enforcement

Related foul codes

These are officially recorded as separate fouls, but fans usually lump them in with this one.

• Invalid Fair Catch Signal

  A signal that doesn't meet the standard, such as waving an arm without raising it fully overhead. The returner can no longer return the kick, but doesn't get full fair-catch protection either.

  Rule 10, Section 2, Article 2

  Accepted calls, 2021–2025: - / 1 / - / - / 1

Referee's signal

One arm waves overhead, then taps the wrist.

Related

What is it?

Covers pushing off or landing on another player's body with a hand or foot to block a kick.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Related foul codes

These are officially recorded as separate fouls, but fans usually lump them in with this one.

• Leaping

  Getting a running start and jumping over the line under one's own power, without using a teammate as a launching pad, to block a kick. It's a separate code from Leverage, which involves using another player's body.

  Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1

  Accepted calls, 2021–2025: - / - / 2 / - / -

Referee's signal

Both hands push upward from near the shoulders.

Related

What is it?

Called when an eligible receiver goes out of bounds on his own, not because he was pushed, then comes back inbounds and touches the pass before the defense does.

Not a foul when

It's an exception if the player was pushed out and returns within a reasonable time, or if a defender touches the pass first.

Enforcement

Related foul codes

These are officially recorded as separate fouls, but fans usually lump them in with this one.

• Illegal Touching of a Kick

  A separate code for kicks rather than passes. The kicking team touches its own kick before the receiving team does, and the receiving team gets the ball at that spot.

  Rule 9, Section 2, Article 1

  Accepted calls, 2021–2025: 5 / 3 / 7 / 3 / 3

Referee's signal

The fingertips of one hand touch the opposite shoulder.

Related

What is it?

Called when contact or interference denies a receiving-team player a fair opportunity to be the first to touch a kicked ball.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

One arm waves overhead.

Related

What is it?

Called when a tackler grabs the collar or nameplate area from behind or the side and drags the runner down by dropping his hips or knees.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

A fist pulls downward from the collar.

Related

What is it?

Covers wrapping the runner with both hands or arms, swiveling the hips to unweight the body, and dropping onto the runner’s legs at or below the knee.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

Both hands drop downward from the hips.

Related

What is it?

Covers batting a loose ball on the ground forward, batting it out of the end zone, or batting a pass in the air toward the end line. Doing it with the hand is Illegal Bat; doing it with the foot is Illegal Kick.

Not a foul when

Legally batting down a pass in the air, or batting the ball backward toward a teammate, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Related foul codes

These are officially recorded as separate fouls, but fans usually lump them in with this one.

• Illegal Kick / Kicking a Loose Ball

  Deliberately kicking a loose ball or a ball after the snap. Using the foot outside of a legitimate kick, such as a punt or field goal, falls under this.

  Rule 12, Section 5, Article 2

  Accepted calls, 2021–2025: - / 1 / 1 / 1 / -

Referee's signal

A fist strikes the opposite palm.

Related

What is it?

Called when the snap motion isn't a continuous single action, or the ball is illegally lifted before the snap.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

The forearm moves up and down.

Related

What is it?

The move itself is legal; it's a foul only when it's carried out illegally, such as a blindside hit or contact below the waist.

Not a foul when

A crackback that stays in the opponent's field of vision and uses the hands above the waist is legal.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

The signal for the specific illegal block that applies is used.

Related

What is it?

As a rule, this covers diving or rolling into an opponent from behind, below the waist.

Not a foul when

Incidental contact, or movement within the position and timing the rules allow, is not a foul.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

One hand taps the back of the opposite knee.

Related

What is it?

Called when a blocker moving toward his own end line contacts an opponent below the waist from the side or rear, without getting fully around to face him.

Not a foul when

It's not a foul under this rule once the blocker's near shoulder has gotten completely past the front of the opponent's legs before contact.

Enforcement

Referee's signal

The signal for the specific illegal block that applies is used.

Related