Sports Equipment

Neutral Zone Infraction: When a defensive player moves into the neutral zone (the area along the line of scrimmage) in an attempt to cause the offensive player to false start. The referee will signal by putting both his hands on his hips. This is a 5-yard penalty.
 
Encroachment: When a defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage and touches an offensive player or has a clear path to the quarterback. The referees will immediately blow their whistle to stop the play before it starts. The referee signal is the same as the Neutral Zone Infraction and also carries a 5-yard penalty.
 
Running Into the Kicker: When there is a kicking play and a defensive player runs into the kicker or punter. If the contact is incidental, a 5-yard penalty is assessed, but if the foul is flagrant, then the officials will call a Roughing the Kicker penalty for 15 yards.
 
Roughing the Kicker: The defender misses the block kick but hits the kicker or punter in a way that could cause bodily harm. The referee calls a personal foul. This is a 15-yard penalty and gives the offense an automatic first down.
 
Defensive Delay of Game: When a defensive player intentionally delays or prevents the offense from making the next snap in a timely manner. The referee’s signal for defensive delay of game is the same as it is for offensive and this also carries a 5-yard penalty.

Defensive Pass Interference: When a defensive player impedes an offensive player from receiving a catchable pass and the football has not yet been touched by any other player. The referee’s signal is the same as offensive pass interference. This penalty results in an automatic first down and the ball is moved to the spot of the foul. If the penalty happens in the end zone, the ball is moved to the one yard line.

Defensive Holding: When a defensive player grabs an offensive player (to prevent a block) or a receiver from getting by. The referee’s signal is the same as offensive holding. This is a 10-yard penalty.
 
Illegal Hands to the Face: A defensive player pushes or hits an offensive player in the helmet. The referee signals with his forearm vertically held in front of him with his fist closed to his face in an up and down pulling motion. This penalty costs the defense 5 yards and gives the offense an automatic first down.
 
Incidental Facemask Contact: A touch and release of the face mask by a player on either team. The referee signal is the same as Illegal Hands to the Face. This is a 5-yard penalty.
 
Intentional Grabbing of the Face Mask: A defensive player grabs or twists the helmet of an offensive player while tackling or blocking. This is a 15-yard penalty and gives the offense an automatic first down.
 
Illegal Contact: A defensive player hits a receiver after the receiver has gone beyond 5 yards of the line of scrimmage. The referee signals by pushing one arm out from his body with his palm facing forward. This is a 5-yard penalty.

Roughing the Passer: a defender hits the passer a reasonable amount of time after the passer has thrown the ball. The referees also make a judgment call as to whether the hit was malicious which can result in ejecting the player from the game. Otherwise, this is a 15-yard penalty and gives the offense an automatic first down.