Question: What Constitutes An Illegal Pick In Football.

[Black Warrior]

I was just watching the Raven vs Steelers and one of the Raven's TDs came on two receivers shielding two defenders from the tight end on a TD. I may not have described it accurately but if it had been basketball, it would be called "pick and roll".
I see it in college quite a bit and I once thought that was illegal. Has the rule changed, or are the refs just not enforcing it?

 

[THE BAMA IRISHMAN]

I was just watching the Raven vs Steelers and one of the Raven's TDs came on two receivers shielding two defenders from the tight end on a TD. I may not have described it accurately but if it had been basketball, it would be called "pick and roll".
I see it in college quite a bit and I once thought that was illegal. Has the rule changed, or are the refs just not enforcing it?

In a pick play, two receivers run paths that cross each other. In doing so, one receiver "accidentally" blocks the person defending the other receiver. This leaves the other receiver wide open to catch a pass.

The penalty varies between different levels of football.

 

[Black Warrior]

Thanks, but what makes it illegal and when? I have seen penalties called in the past, although not any recently.

 

[Bama-94-00]

It has to be downfield, i.e. about 5 yards past LOS. Depends on how much contact is made and if the refs want to call it.

 

[thetideinmd]

the only time i've ever seen it called, the person setting the pick "leans" in with a shoulder or and elbow to make contact. it should be called way more than it is. the old 49ers were famous for the pick plays.

 

[BamaRef22]

Black Warrior, what you are referring to is Offensive Pass Interference (OPI). The term "pick" of "pick play" is not in the rule book. I'm not familiar with NFL rules, but in NCAA, it occurs when an offensive team player, who is beyond the line of scrimmage, makes contact that interferes with a defensive team player. "It is the responsibility of the offensive player to avoid the opponents."

The foul can only occur during a legal forward forward pass play and in which a forward pass crosses the line of scrimmage.

It is a very difficult call, as one responsible for that call at the FBS level. As a deep wing official, I key on the outside receiver and when that type of contact is made, a split second decision must be made as to the intent of that receiver.

Hope the above helps.

 

[Black Warrior]

Black Warrior, what you are referring to is Offensive Pass Interference (OPI). The term "pick" of "pick play" is not in the rule book..........

That's a great synopsis BamaRef and I sincerely appreciate the referee point of view on that. It's gotta be a tough call because you've got to watch so much in a broad area. I just really wondered why I don't see it more. That play in the Ravens vs Steelers game was right in the middle of the screen and the tight end had two guys blocking for him while the ball was in the air. I just laughed and said they got away with one...
I also see a lot of times on short passes over the middle where the ref is used as a picking post to rub off defenders. Obviously the ref is part of the field but it puts him in an awkward position at times.

 

[twofbyc]

Black Warrior, what you are referring to is Offensive Pass Interference (OPI). The term "pick" of "pick play" is not in the rule book. I'm not familiar with NFL rules, but in NCAA, it occurs when an offensive team player, who is beyond the line of scrimmage, makes contact that interferes with a defensive team player. "It is the responsibility of the offensive player to avoid the opponents."

The foul can only occur during a legal forward forward pass play and in which a forward pass crosses the line of scrimmage.

It is a very difficult call, as one responsible for that call at the FBS level. As a deep wing official, I key on the outside receiver and when that type of contact is made, a split second decision must be made as to the intent of that receiver.

Hope the above helps.

That didn't occur in the Steelers game; actually, the defenders ran in to each other, but no contact was made by the receivers. Perfectly legit play.