Ruling roughing the passer is a penalty for hitting an opposing player in the head or neck area. There are two main ways to rough the passer. The first is to tackle the quarterback or the person who catches the pass. The second way to rough the passer is when a defender hits the passer out of bounds. The most common way to rough the passer is to hit the quarterback while he is on the ground. Also, players can put their hand in the crease of the quarterback’s helmet. This includes the quarterback’s face.
What is Roughing the Passer in Football?
A player that hits the quarterback before the pass is attempted is committing roughing the passer. When a defender does this, the offensive team is penalized a touchdown and five yards are added to the down, making it a costly penalty for the defense to take.
What is the Roughing the Passer Rule in the NFL?
In the NFL, it is illegal for a defensive player to intentionally make illegal contact with a QB after the ball has been passed. If a defensive player makes illegal contact with the quarterback, a 15-yd penalty will be enforced and the player will be automatically flagged for illegal contact.
The rule on hitting a quarterback in the head or neck area is clear and defined. It is illegal to hit a quarterback in that area. If a player does deliver a blow, it could result in a flag being thrown. An extra point will be given and the offense will receive a timeout.
Defenders need to be very careful when defending the quarterback. They need to make sure that they don’t hit him in the legs because if they do, the quarterback can suffer an injury like a torn ACL.
Where Can a Defensive Player Hit the Quarterback?
Generally, hitting the quarterback is a legal hit on a pass that isn’t thrown forward or low. The QB can’t be hit behind the back (like if the QB was running for the hole or pulling the edge) or low which is in the back of the thigh or behind the knee/ankle area. The QB may not be hit below the waistline. Also, players should not hit the QB’s hands above the waistline (hands must be in front of the belly button).
The rulebook specifies that the defense can try to swat away the ball while the quarterback is throwing. This is called a “clutching” play. So, wrapping the upper torso or arms of the quarterback is also allowed.
The next play on the tape, the Raiders were penalized for illegal touching even though the only player to make contact was a defensive tackle who had not fallen down. The offensive lineman who was pulled down by the defensive tackle went to the ground and was penalized for tackling with both feet on the ground.
Delineation of the field for the football team is the responsibility of the offensive coordinator. The head coach (offensive or defensive) does not know what the defense plans to do unless specifically briefed on it by the defensive coordinator. If the offense does not call specific plays, then the defense has the responsibility for the defense of the field.
Essential Examples of Roughing the Passer
The NFL adopted a rule to ensure that players are not targeting the shoulders and neck of quarterbacks, to protect a player like Barr from incurring the ramifications of hits like the one which injured Rodgers. The rule would also ensure that players like Barr who inflict such injuries on quarterbacks cannot escape liability.
The Problem for Defenders
Players are not allowed to lay on defenseless opponents. Carr was on his back and unable to roll off of his body because of the rule. This kind of situation could have ended badly for Carr otherwise. The rule calls for any player weight that is more than the quarterback to be off of them. In essence, the referees decide whether players are allowed to “lay in a vulnerable position”.
