NFL Video Rulebook Neutral Zone Infraction

Rule Summary View Official Rule

Section 4 - Action At Or Before The Snap

ARTICLE 4. NEUTRAL ZONE INFRACTION

It is a neutral zone infraction when the following occur. Officials are to blow their whistles immediately:

1. a defender moves beyond the neutral zone prior to the snap and is parallel to or beyond an offensive lineman with an unimpeded path to the quarterback or kicker, even though no contact is made by a blocker;
2. defender enters the neutral zone prior to the snap, causing the offensive player(s) in close proximity (including a T-Formation Quarterback) to react (move) immediately to protect himself (themselves) against impending If there is no immediate reaction by the offensive player(s) in close proximity, and the defensive player returns to a legal position prior to the snap without contacting an opponent, there is no foul. A flexed or split receiver is considered to be in close proximity if he is lined up on the side of the ball on which the violation occurs; other offensive players are considered to be in close proximity if they are within two-and-one-half positions of the defender who enters the neutral zone. If the defender is directly over the center, a T-Formation Quarterback, the center, and the guards and tackles on both sides of the center are considered to be within close proximity; if the defender is in a gap, the two offensive players on either side of the gap are considered to be within close proximity (including a T-Formation Quarterback, if applicable); or
3. during the last two minutes of a half the ball is snapped before all members of the defensive team are on their side of the line of scrimmage. The offense must be legally set.

Penalty: For a neutral zone infraction: Loss of five yards from line of scrimmage. Penalty is enforced prior to snap.