In the NFL. What is the difference between encroachment and offsides?

Answer 1

Encroachment is when a defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage and touches an offensive player OR forces the offensive player to back up to defend themselves.

Defensive offsides is when a defender is across the line of scrimmage when the offensive center snaps the ball.

Offensive offsides is when a receiver, tight end, running back or eligable lineman lines up as a flanker when there already is a flanker lined up on the line of scrimmage.

Answer 2

encroachment is just like false start except on the defensive side of the ball. It is when the defense jumps and makes contact with an offensive player before the ball is snapped. Offsides is when either side of the ball moves before the ball is snapped but does not make contact with the players on the other side of the ball.

Answer 3

Encroachment:

A penalty when any football player other than the center is in the neutral zone and contact occurs prior to the snap


Offside:

A penalty that occurs when any part of a football player’s body is beyond his line of scrimmage when the football is snapped.


www.ducksoftware.com/footballterms

Answer 4

the line of scrimmage ideally the defensive players are supposed to allow 1 yd buffer zone where they can line up if they line up within this 1 yd they are guilty of encroachment.

Answer 5

I will add on my on inquiry: How does "neutral zone infraction" play into this? (I would say both are infractions of the neutral zone)

and it is the length of the ball, not 1yd

Answer 6

They are essentially the same thing and the penalty is the same, 5 yards.

Answer 7

encroachment is when u jump offsides then jump back when offsides u jump and carry out the play

Answer 8

Adam C. already has the right answer.

Answer 9

same thing.