Rulebook Definition
After the ball is ready for play, offside occurs when a defensive player:
- Is in or beyond the neutral zone when the ball is legally snapped.
- Contacts an opponent beyond the neutral zone before the ball is snapped.
- Contacts the ball before it is snapped.
- Threatens an offensive lineman, causing an immediate reaction, before the ball is snapped.
- Is not behind his restraining line when the ball is legally free-kicked.
Offside occurs when one or more players of the kicking team are not behind their restraining line when the ball is legally free-kicked. Exception: the kicker and holder are not offside when they are beyond their restraining line.
Penalty Assessed
5 yards from previous spot
