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Last updated: Feb 09, 2023
A penalty for an ineligible downfield pass happens when an ineligible receiver is too far down the field before the ball is thrown past the line of scrimmage.Typically, an ineligible receiver is an offensive lineman. In the rulebook (for the NCAA and the NFL), ineligible receivers are not allowed to be more than one yard across the line of scrimmage, but officials tend to be lenient with this rule and at times allow ineligible receivers to be up to three yards past the line of scrimmage. This penalty is similar to holding, as it happens on a decent amount of plays, but is only called when it clearly impacts the play. The penalty in both college and the NFL is five yards.
Table of Contents
- Definition
- Result
- Penalty Signal
- Examples
- Similar Penalties To Ineligible Downfield Pass
- FAQ
Definition
An ineligible downfield pass penalty is when ineligible receivers on the offense are too far down the field before the pass is thrown and before the pass is caught.
The ineligible players tend to be offensive linemen.When ineligible receivers are further than one yard past the line of scrimmage before their quarterback has thrown the ball, this penalty is called. It is a five yard penalty before the next play.
This penalty is only called on the offense and only called on passing plays.On rushing plays, offensive lineman can be wherever they want on the field (after the snap) to block. On passing plays, they must not go further than one yard past the line of scrimmage because of this rule.
Result
The result of an ineligible downfield pass penalty in football is five yards.The offense will start its next play five yards back from where they started the previous play.
| Penalty | NFL | NCAA | High School | CFL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ineligible Downfield Pass | 5 Yards | 5 Yards | 5 Yards | 5 Yards |
Penalty Signal
When a referee calls the penalty of ineligible downfield pass, they will tap the top of their head with their right hand and tell which player the penalty was on. They will then announce the upcoming down and yardage to go for the offensive team.
Examples
- On 2nd and 7, an ineligible downfield pass penalty is called. This results in the offense starting its next play at 2nd and 12 (regardless of what happened on the play before when the penalty was called).
- An offensive lineman is five yards past the line of scrimmage blocking a defensive player while the quarterback is still holding the football.
- A tight end who is in the game to block, and is reported as ineligible prior to the play, is three yards past the line of scrimmage when the ball is thrown by the quarterback for 45 yards down the field.
- An offensive lineman is four yards past the line of scrimmage when a wide receiver catches the ball directly behind them.
Similar Penalties To Ineligible Downfield Pass
FAQ
What is an ineligible downfield pass penalty in football?
An ineligible player downfield pass penalty is assessed when an ineligible receiver is more than one yard downfield from the line of scrimmage when the ball is thrown.Ineligible downfield pass penalties result in a five yard penalty on the offense, who is required to replay the down.
What is an ineligible receiver in football?
In football, an ineligible receiver is an offensive player who is not permitted to receive a passed ball from the quarterback.Ineligible receivers are typically offensive linemen who are not running backs, wide receivers, or tight ends, and are defined as being any offensive player who does not line up either on the ends of the offensive line or at least one yard behind it.In certain circ*mstances, offensive linemen can be eligible receivers, but they must declare themselves as such to the officials prior to a play.
Can you challenge an ineligible downfield pass penalty?
Ineligible downfield pass penalties are non-reviewable plays, meaning coaches are not allowed to challenge them.It is thus at the sole discretion of the on-field officials to decide whether an ineligible player was downfield when the pass was thrown.
Pages Related to Football Ineligible Downfield Pass Penalty
As a seasoned football enthusiast with a deep understanding of the sport, I can provide a comprehensive breakdown of the concepts mentioned in the article about the "Ineligible Downfield Pass Penalty." My expertise spans various aspects of football, including rules, penalties, player positions, and game strategies.
Let's dive into the key concepts covered in the article:
1. Ineligible Downfield Pass Penalty
Definition: An ineligible downfield pass penalty occurs when offensive players, typically offensive linemen, are beyond one yard downfield from the line of scrimmage before the quarterback throws the ball on passing plays. This penalty is a five-yard infraction.
Result: The result of this penalty is a five-yard setback for the offensive team, and they must replay the down.
Penalty Signal: Referees signal the ineligible downfield pass penalty by tapping the top of their head with their right hand and indicating which player committed the penalty. They then announce the upcoming down and the yards to go for the offensive team.
Examples:
- If an offensive lineman is five yards past the line of scrimmage during a passing play, it results in an ineligible downfield pass penalty.
- A tight end, declared as ineligible before the play, being three yards past the line of scrimmage when the ball is thrown.
2. FAQ
What is an ineligible receiver in football? In football, an ineligible receiver is an offensive player not allowed to receive a passed ball from the quarterback. They are typically offensive linemen but can include other players based on certain circ*mstances.
Can you challenge an ineligible downfield pass penalty? No, ineligible downfield pass penalties are non-reviewable plays, and coaches cannot challenge them. The on-field officials have sole discretion in determining whether an ineligible player was downfield during the pass.
3. Related Penalties
The article also touches upon penalties related to ineligible downfield passes, such as Illegal Forward Pass, Caught by Ineligible Receiver, and Intentional Grounding.
4. Additional Football Concepts
The article briefly mentions various football penalties, including Personal Foul, Pass Interference, Roughing the Passer, and more. It covers different football levels, such as NFL, NCAA, High School, and CFL.
My expertise allows me to elaborate on each of these concepts, their nuances, and their strategic implications within the game of football. If you have any specific questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask.
