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FORWARD PASS INTERFERENCE MODIFIED (7-5-10): This change eliminates the previous foul for non-contact face guarding forward-pass interference.

Q:  A question and situation has come up in a few of our games which appears to even have some coaches confused regarding a “pass interference” call, in my reading of Rule 7-5 (10) it appears situations that would result in pass interference are pretty clearly defined and understood and the waiving of ones hands would apply to hinder the receiver would fall into the criteria noted.

 
The confusion is in the interpretation of a situation where as a “pass defender” uses his hands to block the vision and in doing so hinder the catching capabilities of the “receiver” in the past this was referred to a “face guarding” and resulted accordingly in a penalty.  Has the term “face guarding” been eliminated from reference in the rule book and is this action now merely considered normal “pass interference” if done by the defender?

 A:  There has been no change. Although not specified in the rule book, face guarding is one of the acts that constitutes pass interference

I believe that we’ve had some discussion on face guarding at the NFHS level, but a rule change hasn’t been passed at the NFHS football rules committee.  Rule 7-5-10b states:
 
ART. 10 . . . It is forward-pass interference if:
b. Any player hinders an opponent’s vision without making an attempt to catch, intercept or bat the ball, even though no contact was made.
 
PENALTY: Art. 10 – Pass interference – (S33) – 15 yards. If the pass interference by either player is intentional, his team shall be penalized an additional 15 yards (S27).