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NFL Video Rulebook Illegal Use of Hands / Facemask

Rule 12 Sections 1-2

NFL Video Rulebook

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Rule 12 Sections 1-2
Rule Summary View Official Rule

Section 1 - Blocking, Use Of Hands And Arms

ARTICLE 3 (a). ILLEGAL BLOCK BY OFFENSIVE PLAYER

It is a foul if an offensive blocker:

  1. Thrusts his hands forward above the frame of an opponent to forcibly contact him on the head, neck, or face

Penalty: For illegal use of hands by the offense: Loss of 10 yards.

SECTION 2 - PERSONAL FOULS

ARTICLE 15. TWISTING, PULLING, OR TURNING THE FACEMASK

If a player grasps an opponent’s facemask or helmet opening, he must immediately release it. He shall not grasp and control, twist, turn, push, or pull the facemask or helmet opening of an opponent in any direction.

Penalty: For twisting, turning, pushing, pulling, or controlling the mask or helmet opening: Loss of 15 yards. The player may be disqualified if the action is flagrant. If the foul is by the defense, it is also an automatic first down.

Additional Rules

Dynamic Kickoff

  • Rule 6

Hip-Drop Tackle

  • Rule 12 Section 2 Article 18

Play Clock

  • Rule 4 Section 6

Scoring Plays

  • Rule 11 Sections 1-5

Safety

  • Rule 11 Section 5

Forward Pass

  • Rule 8 Section 1

Backward Pass

  • Rule 8 Section 7

Ineligible Receiver

  • Rule 8 Section 1 Article 6

Fumbling in the End Zone

  • Rule 8 Section 7 Article 3

Down by Contact

  • Rule 7 Section 2 Article 1

Use of the Helmet

  • Rule 12 Section 2 Article 10

Roughing the Passer

  • Rule 12 Section 2 Article 11

Completing a Catch

  • Rule 8 Section 1 Articles 3-4

Non-Football Act Fouls

  • Rule 12 Section 3

Facemask

  • Rule 12 Section 2 Article 15

Fair Catch

  • Rule 10 Section 2

Clipping

  • Rule 12 Section 2 Article 1

Illegal Formation

  • Rule 7 Section 5 Article 1

Illegal Motion

  • Rule 7 Section 4 Article 8

Illegal Shift

  • Rule 7 Section 4 Article 7

Defensive Pass Interference

  • Rule 8 Section 5

Offensive Pass Interference

  • Rule 8 Section 5

Offensive Holding

  • Rule 12 Section 1 Article 3

Illegal Contact

  • Rule 8 Section 4 Articles 1-4

Defensive Holding

  • Rule 12 Section 1 Article 6

Horse Collar

  • Rule 12 Section 2 Article 16

Chop Block

  • Rule 12 Section 2 Article 5

Low Block

  • Rule 12 Section 2 Article 4

Pre-Snap Fouls

  • Rule 3 Section 4 Article 2

Neutral Zone Infraction

  • Rule 7 Section 4 Article 4

Illegal Block Above the Waist

  • Rule 12 Section 1 Article 3

Defenseless Player

  • Rule 12 Section 2 Article 9

Illegal Peel Back Block

  • Rule 12 Section 2 Article 2

Roughing or Running Into the Kicker

  • Rule 12 Section 2 Article 12

Intentional Grounding

  • Rule 8 Section 2

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