How do I manage the rush line and rushers?

• Mark a rush line 7 yards from the line of scrimmage (a marker or an official). Defenders should confirm their position with you each play.
• Up to two rushers, each with a hand raised before the snap, may rush from the rush line. They must rush immediately at the snap; no delayed rush.
• After a handoff, pitch or lateral by the snap receiver, any defender may rush from anywhere.

Penalties (+5 from the line of scrimmage and automatic first down):

• Illegal rush: a rusher leaves the rush line early and crosses the line of scrimmage before a handoff, pitch, lateral or pass; or a defender not at the rush line crosses before the ball is passed or handed off.
• Encroachment: any defender crosses the line of scrimmage before the snap.
• Roughing the passer: non-incidental contact with the QB (rushers may try to block the pass).

If the offense draws a rusher across the 7-yard marker before the snap, that rusher can't legally rush. Jumping the rush isn't a foul until the rusher crosses the line of scrimmage early.

Impeding the rusher (offense): the rusher's path is set pre-snap, straight to the QB, and doesn't move when the QB moves. A moving offensive player who disrupts that path or makes contact is penalized -5 and loss of down. If the offensive player stays still after the snap, the rusher must go around.