An obscure National Football League rule regarding special teams contact cost the Indianapolis Colts a crucial scoring sequence in September 2025, when a defensive player pushed off a teammate to block a field-goal attempt, resulting in a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct and an automatic first down, as amfoo.de reported.
The penalty, known in the NFL rulebook as the leverage rule, prohibits any defensive player from placing a hand on a teammate or opponent to push off and jump higher during a field-goal or punt block attempt. Referee Craig Wrolstad explained following the September 2025 incident that a defender is strictly barred from using another player’s body for upward leverage, regardless of whether the kick block is successful.
While the leverage rule penalizes players who push off a teammate or opponent at the line of scrimmage, it differs fundamentally from the leaping rule introduced in 2017. According to amfoo.de, the leaping rule specifically forbids a defender lined up outside the primary block formation from taking a running start and leaping entirely over the opposing line. Standard vertical jumping directly upward remains permissible under league guidelines, whereas leverage strictly penalizes physical contact used to elevate off another player’s frame.
The distinction between legal elevation and illegal leverage drew sharp scrutiny across the league following the September 2025 matchup between Denver and Indianapolis. During that game, a Denver defender successfully batted down a field-goal try from the Indianapolis Colts but was flagged for leverage after officials determined he had used a teammate’s body for upward propulsion. The penalty moved the chains 15 yards and awarded the Colts a fresh set of downs. Indianapolis converted the second chance into points and ultimately won the contest, fueling a wider debate regarding the frequency and consistency of the penalty’s enforcement.
Media analyses indicate that officials call leverage only a handful of times per season, primarily because blocked kick attempts occur infrequently and the split-second mechanics of aerial contact complicate real-time officiating. The league initially tightened restrictions surrounding kick blocks in 2017 to prioritize player safety, seeking to prevent defenders from crashing down unprotected from dangerous heights onto opponents or teammates. That safety-first philosophy mirrors stricter enforcement across other contact categories, such as unnecessary roughness and roughing the passer.
Supplemental reporting from onsidekick.de notes that extreme violations of the leverage prohibition can theoretically result in a player’s disqualification from the game, alongside the mandatory 15-yard penalty assessed from the previous line of scrimmage and the automatic first down awarded to the offense.
Frequently Asked Questions About the NFL Leverage Rule
How many yards does a leverage foul cost the defense?
A leverage penalty results in a 15-yard loss assessed from the line of scrimmage for unsportsmanlike conduct. If the opposing team’s kick misses, the penalty also grants the offense an automatic first down.
Does the rule apply if a defender pushes off a teammate instead of an opponent?
Yes. The rule prohibits leveraging off any human body on the field, meaning defenders are barred from using their own teammates for upward propulsion just as they are forbidden from pushing off opponents.
Is any type of jumping allowed during field-goal blocks?
Yes. Players retain the right to jump straight up into the air from a stationary position to block a kick, provided they do not use another player’s body or equipment to gain additional height.
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