When is a hit on a defenseless receiver a foul?

Rule 9-4-3p (added in 2025): no player or non-player may initiate forceful contact against a defenseless receiver, unless the contact is:

• incidental to making a play on the ball,
• initiated with open hands, or
• an attempt to tackle by wrapping the arms around the receiver.

Penalty: personal foul, 15 yards. A flagrant foul also disqualifies the player.

Defenseless players include passers, receivers, sliding runners and players blocked illegally from the blind side. A player stays defenseless until able to protect themselves. Defenseless player and targeting fouls were a 2025 point of emphasis, and flagrant fouls are a 2026 point of emphasis.