General
encroachment
What does encroachment mean?
A pre-snap foul in which a defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage and makes contact with an opponent before the ball is snapped.
"The nose tackle jumped early and was flagged for encroachment."
Origin
American football; from 'encroach,' to intrude past a boundary.
Frequently asked questions
What is encroachment in football?
It's a pre-snap penalty where a defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage and makes contact with an opponent before the ball is snapped.
What's the difference between encroachment and offside?
In the NFL, encroachment is contact with an opponent before the snap and stops play immediately, while offside is simply being across the line at the snap without necessarily making contact.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
