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"Behind the Stripes" is written by veteran WIAA official B.J. Ligocki, an active message board poster who has helped many people on the forum with rules questions and clarifications over the years. The purpose of this feature is to help educate readers on any rules changes, clarify procedures and rules, provide case studies and examples, and answer any questions people may have on officiating or rules.

Feel free to email any rules or officiating questions you have at wissports.ask.a.ref@gmail.com for inclusion in future articles.

B.J. Ligocki:  Football (Master Level – 9 yrs – State Championship); Basketball (Level 5 – 17 years – Regional); Baseball/Softball (Level 5 – 17years - Regional)

Pass interference is one of the bigger penalties that can be called both because of the penalty associated with it, and the fact that it usually happens in the wide open field with a one on one situation.  As of last year, the penalty for defensive pass interference (DPI) and offensive pass interference (OPI) were changed to 15 yards each, and the loss of down on OPI and automatic 1st down on DPI were removed.  This penalty is different than both NCAA and NFL rules, which often leads to confusion.  NCAA DPI carries an automatic 1st down and the distance is the spot of the foul, with a maximum of 15 yards, and is enforced regardless of how close the penalty is to the endzone (it is an exception to half the distance to the goal).  NFL, as we are aware, is always the spot of the foul regardless of the distance.  Another important difference between Friday night and weekend games, is that “catchability” is not a concern in NFHS.  That is not to say if there is a possible interference on the left side of the field and the ball is thrown to the right side there should be a foul.  But if the ball is intended for a receiver and there is DPI but the ball is 10 yds. over his head, there should still be a flag.

Pass interference in NFHS can only occur beyond the line of scrimmage, so it is not possible for either team to interfere on a properly executed screen pass or (usually) a bubble screen.  This is common sense, otherwise you would have it on almost every behind the line pass because linemen are always making contact.  Holding could be called if a defensive lineman tackles a running back expecting a screen pass, but not DPI.  It also must be a legal forward pass to have interference, if the QB is over the line of scrimmage when he passes, interference does not apply.

Like any foul, interference is contact that causes a disadvantage to a player.  When considering DPI, we have to remember that there is no 5 yd. bump rule or illegal contact downfield as long as the receiver is a potential blocker.  This is because the defense doesn’t know if a pass is coming, or the receiver is running at him to block for a run play, so the restrictions for the defense don’t begin until the pass is actually thrown.  There are several categories that DPI can fall into:

1.  Early contact: This is one of the most common, and easiest to spot.  The defender contacts the receiver before the ball arrives.
2. Arm Bar:  This you will see when the defender has his arm straight out, usually at the receiver’s chest and restricts him from raising his arm(s) to catch the ball.
3. Not Playing the ball:  This we see often on TV, when the defender makes contact, but doesn’t turn to look at the ball.  There are few automatic calls, but almost any contact without turning to look for the ball is a foul.
4. Hook & Turn:  This is usually the off hand of the defender on the receiver’s hip.  Often the front hand will be swatting at the ball while his other hand is pulling the hip and turning the receiver.
5. Face guarding:  Another difference between NFHS and other rules codes.  It is illegal in high school to obstruct the vision of the receiver if not making a play on the ball.  This is not a foul in NCAA and NFL.
6. Cutting off the receiver:  This is self explanatory.  It is not legal to get in front of the receiver and cut off his route, again, while not playing the ball.
7. Playing through the back:  The common excuse heard here is, “He was playing the ball!”  While he may have been, it is not legal to take away the receiver’s right to play the ball while doing so.

Similarly when looking for OPI, the offense knows whether it is a pass or run, so the restrictions for the offense begin at the snap, not when the pass is thrown.  So after the snap, the categories for OPI are:

1. Blocking downfield:  If a receiver is blocking a defender and there is a pass, it is a foul.  This is seen on “pick plays.”
2. Pushing off:  I think everyone knows what this looks like, the receiver creating separation to make the catch.
3. Early contact:  Similar to DPI, the receiver can’t prevent the defender from catching the ball by making early contact, whether it is pushing, blocking, or hook & turn.

Keep this in mind when watching games tonight.  Coaches, you will make a better impression if you use these terms when (calmly) asking about or for a call.