What Is a Facemask Penalty? NFL Grasp and Control Rule

Aug 17

2 min read

Updated: 5 hours ago

An NFL facemask foul occurs when a player grasps an opponent’s facemask or helmet opening and uses that grip to control, twist, turn, push or pull it. The penalty is 15 yards, with an automatic first down if the defense commits it. A flagrant act can bring disqualification.

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A facemask penalty in the NFL occurs when a player grasps an opponent's facemask or helmet opening and controls, twists, turns, pushes or pulls it in any direction.

A hand brushing the mask is not automatically a foul. A player who inadvertently grasps it must release immediately.

What officials are watching

The critical distinction is between contact and control. A hand sliding across the bars is different from fingers closing around them and redirecting the helmet. No dramatic neck snap or prolonged tug is required: briefly controlling the helmet can be enough.

The helmet opening counts too. Hooking the opening and pulling the helmet is judged under the same provision, even if the hand never grabs a front bar.

For example, a defender reaches across a runner, catches the mask and turns the runner’s head while finishing the tackle. That is a facemask foul. If the hand merely brushes the bars without gaining control, this rule does not automatically make the tackle illegal.

Runners can commit it too

The rule applies to every player. A ball carrier cannot use a defender’s mask as a handle during a stiff arm, and an offensive lineman cannot grab the helmet opening to stop a rusher.

That is why this foul differs from ordinary holding: the protected contact point and controlling action determine the facemask call. A horse collar tackle instead concerns a prohibited grip on the upper jersey or pads followed by a pull toward the ground.

There is no five yard NFL facemask category

The current NFL rule uses a 15 yard penalty when the foul’s elements are met. Officials do not downgrade a lesser facemask foul to five yards.

Limited replay assistance can correct a called facemask penalty if clear video establishes that the hand made no contact with the facemask or helmet opening. It does not make every question about the amount of control reviewable.