What Is Pass Interference in Football?
Pass interference is one of the most impactful — and most controversial — penalties in football. Here's what it means and why it can completely change a game.
What Is Pass Interference in Football?
The quarterback throws a long pass. A defender reaches out and grabs the receiver's arm before the ball arrives. The referee throws a flag. The offense gets the ball at the spot of the foul — a 40-yard gain without even catching the pass.
That's pass interference — one of the most impactful, and most controversial, penalties in football.
The Simple Answer
Pass interference is when a defender illegally prevents a receiver from catching a catchable pass.
Once the ball is in the air, both the receiver and the defender have the right to go for it. But the defender cannot grab, push, hold, or make significant contact with the receiver before the ball arrives. If they do, it's pass interference.
Why Is It Such a Big Deal?
Most penalties in football are a set number of yards — 5 yards for offside, 10 yards for holding. Pass interference is different.
Defensive pass interference is a spot foul — the offense gets the ball at the exact spot where the foul happened. If the pass was thrown 45 yards downfield and the defender grabbed the receiver there, the offense gets the ball 45 yards downfield. That can be a massive gain.
This is why pass interference is one of the most impactful penalties in football. A single call can move the ball half the length of the field.
What Counts as Pass Interference?
The defender is allowed to:
- Run alongside the receiver
- Go for the ball at the same time as the receiver
- Make incidental contact while both players are going for the ball
The defender is not allowed to:
- Grab the receiver's arm, jersey, or body before the ball arrives
- Push the receiver out of the way
- Make contact that prevents the receiver from catching a catchable pass
The key word is "catchable." If the pass was clearly uncatchable (way out of bounds, thrown into the ground), there's no pass interference — even if the defender makes contact.
Offensive Pass Interference
Receivers can also commit pass interference. This happens when a receiver pushes off a defender to create separation before catching the ball.
Offensive pass interference is a 10-yard penalty against the offense, and the down is replayed.
It's less common than defensive pass interference, but it does get called — especially on contested catches in the end zone.
Why Is It So Controversial?
Pass interference is one of the most debated calls in football because:
- It's judgment-based — referees have to decide if the contact was significant enough to affect the play
- It happens fast — receivers and defenders are moving at full speed; contact is often unavoidable
- The stakes are huge — a single call can move the ball 40+ yards
- It's inconsistent — the same contact might get called in one game and ignored in another
You'll hear coaches, players, and fans argue about pass interference calls constantly. It's just part of football.
A Quick Example
The Green Bay Packers throw a deep pass to a receiver running down the sideline. The cornerback grabs the receiver's arm at the 15-yard line, 38 yards from where the ball was thrown. The referee calls defensive pass interference.
The Packers get the ball at the 15-yard line — a 38-yard gain without even catching the pass. They're now in the red zone and in prime scoring position.
That's the power of a pass interference call.
The Bottom Line
Pass interference is when a defender illegally prevents a receiver from catching a catchable pass. Defensive pass interference is a spot foul — the offense gets the ball where the foul happened, which can be a massive gain. It's one of the most impactful and most debated penalties in football.
Want to understand more football rules? Browse Football 101 or take the Free 5-Day Football Course — no experience needed.
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Written by
Stephanie Pedley
Content creator and writer sharing insights and stories.
