- Pass interference is a penalty that can be called on either the offense or defensive player when too much contact is made before the pass reaches the players. If this penalty is called, the result is a 15-yard penalty on whichever team commits the infraction.
- It is legal to hit or "jam" the offensive player for the first 5 yards off of the line of scrimmage. After the offensive player has passed that 5-yard gap, no contact can be made until the pass reaches the player.
- If defensive pass interference is called beyond 15 yards from the line of scrimmage, the offense gets a first down at the spot of the foul. This penalty occurring in the end zone results in the ball being placed at the 1-yard line, and an automatic first down.
- Illegal contact is a penalty that gets mistaken for pass interference fairly regularly. After the 5-yard window, if contact is made an illegal contact penalty is called, not pass interference. The result of this action is a 5-yard penalty and an automatic first down.
- Another 5-yard automatic first down penalty that gets mistaken for pass interference, is holding. If, before the pass is thrown, the defensive or offensive player grabs hold of the other player, holding is the call.