Blindside Block
A block delivered from outside an opponent's field of vision, often subject to safety restrictions.
Glossary category
College Football Penalties Glossary
Penalty terms explain common fouls, enforcement concepts, replay language, and rule situations that shape drives.
Back to all glossary termsTop Penalties Terms
Blindside BlockA block delivered from outside an opponent's field of vision, often subject to safety restrictions.Block in the BackA penalty for illegally blocking an opponent from behind.Chop BlockAn illegal low block combined with another block against the same defender.ClippingAn illegal block from behind at or below the waist.Defensive Pass InterferenceA penalty when a defender illegally contacts or restricts a receiver's chance to catch a pass.Delay of GameA penalty usually called when the offense fails to snap the ball before the play clock expires.EncroachmentA pre-snap defensive violation involving illegal entry into the neutral zone, often causing contact or an offensive reaction.Face MaskA penalty for grabbing or twisting an opponent's face mask.
All Penalties Definitions
27 terms
Block in the Back
A penalty for illegally blocking an opponent from behind.
Chop Block
An illegal low block combined with another block against the same defender.
Clipping
An illegal block from behind at or below the waist.
Defensive Pass Interference
A penalty when a defender illegally contacts or restricts a receiver's chance to catch a pass.
Delay of Game
A penalty usually called when the offense fails to snap the ball before the play clock expires.
Encroachment
A pre-snap defensive violation involving illegal entry into the neutral zone, often causing contact or an offensive reaction.
Face Mask
A penalty for grabbing or twisting an opponent's face mask.
False Start
An offensive penalty when a player illegally moves before the snap in a way that simulates the start of play.
Holding
A penalty for illegally restricting an opponent, commonly called on offensive linemen or defenders in coverage.
Horse-Collar Tackle
A penalty for pulling down a runner from the back of the collar or shoulder-pad area in an illegal manner.
Illegal Formation
A penalty when the offense lines up in an illegal structure before the snap.
Illegal Motion
A penalty involving illegal movement by an offensive player before the snap.
Illegal Shift
A penalty when multiple offensive players shift and fail to become set as required before the snap.
Ineligible Receiver Downfield
A penalty when an ineligible offensive player, usually a lineman, goes too far downfield before a legal forward pass.
Intentional Grounding
A penalty when a passer illegally throws the ball away to avoid pressure without meeting the rule's exceptions.
Kick-Catch Interference
A penalty when the kicking team interferes with a returner's protected opportunity to catch a kick.
Offensive Pass Interference
A penalty when an offensive player illegally blocks, pushes off, or interferes with a defender before the pass arrives.
Offside
A defensive penalty when a player is across the line of scrimmage or neutral zone at the snap.
Pass Interference
A penalty for illegally hindering an eligible receiver's opportunity to catch a pass.
Penalty
A rules violation that usually results in yardage, loss of down, automatic first down, disqualification, or another enforcement outcome.
Personal Foul
A major penalty for illegal physical contact or unsafe conduct.
Roughing the Kicker
A penalty for significant illegal contact against a kicker or punter.
Roughing the Passer
A penalty for illegal contact against the quarterback after a pass or in a protected situation.
Running into the Kicker
A lesser kicking-contact penalty than roughing, usually involving less severe contact.
Targeting
A player-safety foul involving taking aim at an opponent with forcible contact beyond a legal tackle, block, or play on the ball.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
A penalty for behavior outside acceptable sportsmanship, such as taunting, excessive celebration, or abusive conduct.