Encroachment in the NFL occurs when a defensive player illegally crosses the line of scrimmage and makes contact with an offensive player. Encroachment is a five-yard penalty is given to the defensive team.
This is a dead ball penalty meaning the play is blown dead because the penalty occurred before the snap.
Encroachment in high school football refers to any play in which a defensive payer crosses the line of scrimmage. The play is immediately blown dead and a five-yard penalty is assessed to the defence.
In NCAA football encroachment is a penalty that is assessed to the offense and not the defense. This penalty occurs when an offensive player enters or goes past the neutral zone after the center has put his hands on the ball but has not yet snapped it.
What is the difference between offsides and encroachment in football?
In the NFL encroachment and offside are very similar penalties. Both of these penalties refer to defensive players crossing the line of scrimmage early.
An offside refers to when a player is either in the neutral zone or past it when the ball is snapped. This means the player is at least partially on the wrong side of the line of scrimmage when the play starts.
When an encroachment occurs the player passes through the neutral zone and continues until he makes contact with a player.
Furthermore, an offside requires the ball to be snapped in order for the penalty to occur. While an encroachment is a foul that is going to occur before the ball has been snapped.
What is the difference between encroachment and false start?
The difference between encroachment and a false start is that one is a penalty that is assessed to the defense and the other is assessed to the offense.
A false start is a penalty that occurs when an offensive player starts to move before the ball is snapped. And an encroachment penalty occurs when a defensive player starts the play too early.
Both of these infractions carry a five-yard penalty.
If you are watching your team on television and see a flag you want to hear the referee call encroachment if your team is on offense and false start when your team is on defense.
Encroachment Vs Neural Zone Infraction In Football
Two penalties that are very similar in football is a neutral zone infraction and encroachment. Both of these penalties go against the defense which can often leave football fans confused.
The main difference between these two penalties is that one is dead ball foul while the other can be a live ball foul.
Encroachment occurs when a defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage prior to the snap and contacts a player on the offense. Since this occurs before the ball is snapped it is a dead ball foul.
This means the whistle will be blown and no play will take place.
A neutral zone infraction occurs when a defensive player enters the neutral zone causing an offensive player to react. When a neutral zone infraction occurs the play will be blown dead on some occasions and kept live on others.
If the player who committed the neutral zone infraction has a clear path to the quarterback the play will be blown dead and the penalty will be applied. This is done in order to protect the quarterback from a dangerous hit.
But if the player who committed the penalty does not have a clear path a flag will be thrown but the play will go on. This is what is referred to as a free play. Since the offense knows that a penalty has been called they are able to attempt a risky throw.
Any negative outcome of the play can be cancelled out by accepting the neutral zone infraction penalty.
This is the biggest difference between encroachment vs neutral zone infractions. Encroachment will be blown dead right away while a neutral zone infraction may result in a free play for the offense.
Both of these penalties result in a five-yard penalty against the defense.
Can you decline This Penalty?
Yes though it is extremely uncommon you are allowed to decline this penalty in football. Technically speaking you are always allowed to decline any penalty you may face.
Since this penalty is a dead ball penalty it will almost always be accepted. As it does not affect the down it will only make your distance to the first down shorter.
Can a false start be called on Defense?
No, a false start cannot be called on the defense. This penalty is strictly reserved for the offense. Instead of it being applied to both sides of the ball they simply came up with a different term for the defense.
A “false start” on the defense fits under several different forms of defensive penalties. Illegal shifts, illegal motion, and defensive encroachment are all defensive penalties that cover the same sort of infraction that is called on a false start.
