One for the Other Thumb

Today I learned that the Pittsburgh Steelers are the best pro football franchise ever.  Just kidding–I already knew that.

But there are some things I don’t really know about football.  For instance, I can’t ever recognize holding unless someone tells me where to look.  And I don’t know the difference between false start, encroachment and offsides.  But that is easily remedied.

False Start – this is when a member of the offense moves before the snap (unless they are moving parallel to the line of scrimmage.)  (Five yards)

Encroachment – this is when a member of the defense crosses the line of scrimmage and makes physical contact with a member of the offense.  (Five yards)

Offsides – this can be on offense or defense, and it happens when a player is on the line of scrimmage before the snap (but if you cross, and then go back before the snap you’re okay.)  (Five yards)

And this one really sucks: Pass Interference – this is when a defender illegally stops an eligible receiver from catching a forward pass.  If the receiver is within five yards of the line of scrimmage, the defender can touch him, but after that, contact with the intention of stopping the catch is a penalty.  If the defender accidentally touches the receiver in an attempt to catch the ball, then that’s okay.  This is generally a violation committed by the defense, but there is also offensive pass interference.  (NFL – Ball goes to the site of the foul, automatic first down; College – fifteen yards, automatic first down)

But um… Yay Steelers!

---

Posted in trivia, vocabulary
Tags: football, pentalties, steelers, superbowl