A legal forward pass is thrown by any Team A player from a point behind the scrimmage line, towards the opponent's Dead Line, to any eligible receiver or receivers. The ball shall not touch the ground, any part of the goal post assembly, an official or any other object. The ball is considered to be in the possession of Team A until the pass is ruled completed or incomplete. The passing motion begins when the passer's hand, with the ball in possession, begins moving forward.
A screen pass is a forward pass thrown to a receiver at a point behind the line of scrimmage. Should the ball be touched by an eligible receiver in the offensive backfield then proceed across the line of scrimmage, it shall continue to be considered a screen pass. Unless otherwise stated, rules governing forward passes shall apply to screen passes.
Only one forward pass shall be thrown on any down. If a second pass is thrown:
A pass may be thrown by any Team A player who was behind the scrimmage line when passing the ball. The passer need not be the first player to receive the ball from the centre.
If the pass is thrown from a point across the line of scrimmage:
The following players are eligible receivers:
NOTE: If the ball is touched by a Team B player, all players of both teams become eligible receivers.
NOTE: Team A players shall be identified by numbering as follows:
Eligible receivers will wear numbers from 0-49 and 70-00.
Ineligible receivers will wear numbers from 50-69.
NOTE: Notwithstanding this article, a Team A player wearing an eligible receiver number may enter the game at an ineligible receiver position under the following three (3) circumstances:
At any time during the game, an eligibly numbered player may be added to the list by entering the field of play and reporting to the Referee.
If an eligibly numbered player who is not on the list participates at an ineligible receiver position (within one yard of the line of scrimmage tackle to tackle), his team will be warned once and his number will be added to the list. If this occurs a second time, a Procedure penalty shall be called.
A maximum of 2 players wearing an ineligible number (50 — 69) will be allowed to line up in an eligible position as an end or in the backfield after reporting to the Referee prior to a scrimmage play. The Referee will inform the opposing team and all officials of the player number and position he will be playing.
NOTE: Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of Article 4, a Team A player wearing an eligible receiver number, who is in forward motion from a backfield position and within one yard of the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped shall remain eligible as a pass receiver.
When an ineligible receiver is the first player of Team A to catch or deliberately touch the ball:
PENALTY: L10
A pass is completed under the following conditions:
A forward pass shall be declared incomplete and the ball next put in play at the point of last scrimmage with downs continuing:
If a Team A passer deliberately, and in the official's opinion for the purpose of avoiding loss of yardage, throws the ball behind the line of scrimmage to the ground or Out of Bounds or to an area in which there is not an eligible Team A receiver, the team shall be penalized.
PENALTY: LD at point from which pass was thrown. If the pass was thrown from the Goal Area, a safety touch score shall be awarded to Team B, subject to the right of Team B to decline the score and accept the play as it terminated.
NOTE: Team A shall not be penalized if the passer throws the ball across the line of scrimmage to an open area or Out of Bounds.
Prior to a forward pass being thrown behind the line of scrimmage, a Team A player may carry out an otherwise legal block on a Team B player at any point on the field, effective the instant the ball is snapped.
Prior to a forward pass being thrown across the line of scrimmage, a Team A player may not initiate contact with or block a Team B player more than 1 yard in advance of the line of scrimmage before the ball is deemed complete or incomplete. Such contact is "Illegal Interference – Blocking Downfield".
Prior to a forward pass being thrown, a Team B player may:
Prior to a forward pass being thrown, a Team B player may not:
NOTE: Cut Blocking by a Team B player of receivers attempting to proceed downfield is illegal and penalized as Unnecessary Roughness.
Prior to a pass being thrown incidental contact by both Team A and Team B players may occur anywhere on the field; this includes hand-fighting. Such contact is not a foul unless it materially affects the opponent creating a distinct advantage.
Note: The “Illegal Contact on a Receiver” restrictions of this article only apply when a Designated Quarterback is the first player to gain possession of the snap. If the Designated Quarterback loses or surrenders possession the restrictions are no longer in effect. Additionally, on a play where Team A kicks the ball across the line of scrimmage or lines up in a kicking formation the Illegal Contact on a Receiver restrictions do not apply.
PENALTY: If Team A commits the Pass Interference foul, L10 PLS
When a forward pass has been intercepted, any player of Team B may interfere anywhere, within the bounds, provided that contact is made only above the waist of the opponent.
PENALTY: Team A L10 PLS or PBH
When a forward pass has been intercepted, any player of Team B may interfere anywhere, within the bounds, provided that contact is made only above the waist of the opponent.
PENALTY: Team B L15 PBH or PBD
If Team B intercepts and then fumbles while attempting to run the ball out of the Goal Area, the ball may be legally recovered by Team A.
When the ball is dead in the Goal Area without score, Team B shall scrimmage at its 25-yard line, first down.
If Team B, while in possession in its Goal Area following an interception in goal, commits any infraction in the Goal Area or in the Field of Play, the penalty shall be applied from the 25-yard line, or option.
If Team B intercepts a pass in its Goal Area and the play is ruled dead in B's Goal Area and Team A is called for Rough Play or Unnecessary Roughness in the Field of Play or in the Goal Area, the penalty shall be applied from Team B's 25-yard line.
NOTE: If a Team B player intercepts a pass in the Field of Play while moving toward the Team B Goal Line and momentum carries that player into the Goal Area, the play shall be ruled as an interception in goal.
NOTE: The only score that can result from a Team B interception in its Goal Area, while the ball remains in the Goal Area, is a touchdown by Team A following recovery of a Team B fumble.
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Content compiled and entered by Glen Johnson, Jeff Harbin and Andre Proulx
The CFL Official Rule Book is published annually by the Canadian Football League. Any inquiries regarding the CFL Official Playing Rules may be directed to Darren Hackwood, Director of Officiating at dhackwood@cfl.ca. Any inquiries regarding CFL Statistical Scoring Rules may be directed to Steve Daniel, Director of Game Information and Head Statistician at sdaniel@cfl.ca.