What is a defensive pass interference penalty in football? Pass interference is when a player prohibits another player from making a play on the football by making contact prior to the ball's arrival. Defensive...
Defensive backs are probably the quickest and most athletic players on the defensive side of the football. And of course, lined up against equally swift and agile wide receivers, these are qualities that every defensive back must possess in order to be successful. But, no matter how talented a defensive back is, playing the position takes a certain amount of discipline and skill that only comes with years of practice. And even when they've had years of practice under their belt, it still won't help them against the dreaded defensive pass interference call.
Donovan Rose was a defensive back in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins. During his tenure in the league, Rose dealt with many defensive pass interference calls and has a solid understanding on what institutes as a penalty.
"Right now, the National Football League has made theirs a little tougher," he said. "There rule is that you can't put your hands on a receiver after five yards. But in college if your hand is on the receiver and the ball is in air that's one thing. If you are running with him and let's say that you turn around and you are going for the ball and you might hit him before the ball touches his hand, they call it. But a lot of times it's tough to call. But if you are a defensive back that's going for the ball and his head is turned, if the referee sees that, a lot of times he won't call it."
In fairness to the defensive backs that played back in Rose's day, the defensive pass interference call has made strides in the defense's favor. It used to be a defensive pass interference call was made solely on the individual referee's discretion. But over time, and as officials have looked at ways to better call the penalty, the defensive pass interference has become more understandable and preventable.
Rose said that personally, each defensive back can help in preventing the call from being made. "The best way to keep from getting pass interference calls is to just work on your technique and use your hands," he said. "A lot of times, guys have a tendency of wanting to put their hands on the receiver."
Rose also believes that working hard in practice will help a defensive back keep his aggressiveness, a tool that is vital at the defensive back position.
"We don't want to take the aggressiveness from the defensive back so we just make sure that they work hard and practice," he said. "We just try to preach to them that after they jam them, keep your hands off of them after five yards and just let it go from there."
And as strange as it may sound, there are even times when purposely committing a defensive pass interference penalty is doing the right thing.
"If a guy is beaten for a sure touchdown, that's usually not a bad idea because that pass interference would be better," said Rose. "But if you work on your technique, you should be able to cover the receiver without having to hold or grab."
