NFL wants refs to focus on these two important flags
Kevin Seifert reported that the NFL has asked officials to pay particular attention to illegal contact fouls in 2022. There was a big drop in them in 2021. Classified as a "point of clarification," formerly known as "point of emphasis." He also mentioned that we might be looking at a spike in flags.
Illegal contact refers to prohibited contact by a defender when the quarterback still has the ball and remains in the pocket. It is a 5-yard penalty and results in an automatic first down. Officials flagged illegal contact an average of 97 times per season between 2002 and 2020, but that number dropped to 36 last season. The decrease prompted the NFL's competition committee to include illegal contact among its "points of clarification," formerly known as "points of emphasis," for the 2022 season.
In administering illegal contact, officials must first identify the prohibited contact and then confirm the position of the ball and quarterback. The committee encouraged officials to move more quickly from the contact to the quarterback, in order to better enforce the foul.
In administering illegal contact, officials must first identify the prohibited contact and then confirm the position of the ball and quarterback. The committee encouraged officials to move more quickly from the contact to the quarterback, in order to better enforce the foul.
Another very important point that I think everyone will enjoy was brought up by Seiffert. He mentioned that officials have been reminded that roughing the passer flags require "forcible" contact to the head/neck or below the knees. Can be difficult to judge force in a crowded pocket, but there were some flags thrown last season that ultimately had only incidental contact.
Seiffert also mentioned that, as they do every summer, officiating crews are visiting training camps to update players and coaches on all new rules and clarifications.
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