NFL Video Rulebook Facemask

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 15

NFL Video Rulebook

View Video Rulebook

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 15

Rule Summary View Official Rule

TWISTING, PULLING, OR TURNING THE FACEMASK

No player shall grasp and control, twist, turn, push, or pull the facemask of an opponent in any direction.

Note: If a player grasps an opponent’s facemask, he must immediately release it. If he does not immediately release it and controls his opponent, it is a foul.

Penalty: For twisting, turning, pushing, pulling, or controlling the mask: Loss of 15 yards. The player may be disqualified if the action is flagrant. If the foul is by the defense, it is also an automatic first down.

Additional Rules

Play Clock

Rule 4 Section 6

Kickoff Rules

Rule 6 Sections 1-2

Scoring Plays

Rule 11 Sections 1-5

Safety

Rule 11 Section 5

Forward Pass

Rule 8 Section 1

Backward Pass

Rule 8 Section 7

Ineligible Receiver

Rule 8 Section 1 Article 6

Fumbling in the End Zone

Rule 8 Section 7 Article 3

Down by Contact

Rule 7 Section 2 Article 1

Use of the Helmet

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 10

Roughing the Passer

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 11

Completing a Catch

Rule 8 Section 1 Articles 3-4

Non-Football Act Fouls

Rule 12 Section 3

Fair Catch

Rule 10 Section 2

Clipping

Rule 3 Section 6

Illegal Formation

Rule 7 Section 5 Article 1

Illegal Motion

Rule 7 Section 4 Article 8

Illegal Shift

Rule 7 Section 4 Article 7

Defensive Pass Interference

Rule 8 Section 5

Offensive Pass Interference

Rule 8 Section 5

Offensive Holding

Rule 12 Section 1 Article 3

Illegal Contact

Rule 8 Section 4 Articles 1-4

Defensive Holding

Rule 12 Section 1 Article 6

Horse Collar

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 16

Chop Block

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 5

Low Block

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 4

Illegal Use of Hands / Facemask

Rule 12 Section 1 Article 3

Pre-Snap Fouls

Rule 3 Section 4 Article 2

Neutral Zone Infraction

Rule 7 Section 4 Article 4

Illegal Block Above the Waist

Rule 12 Section 1 Article 3

Defenseless Player

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 9

Illegal Peel Back Block

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 2

Roughing or Running Into the Kicker

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 12

Intentional Grounding

Rule 8 Section 2

Back to Top

NFL Football Operations’ mission is to establish a culture of clarity, consistency and credibility in all aspects of the greatest game. Football is an essential piece of America’s fabric, uniting fans, players and communities with a simple yet powerful bond. We honor the game’s history while continuing to innovate and preserve the sport for future generations of fans, players, coaches, teams and officials.

Español