There are typically three or four defensive linemen on the field at one time for a football team, depending on the scheme and formation they decide to run. Defensive lineman are often some of the biggest players on the field, reaching weights upward of 300 lbs. There are specific rules that defensive players, especially linemen, must follow on the football field.
Before the Snap
Defensive linemen must line up outside the neutral zone, defined as the space the width of the ball between the offensive and defensive lines of scrimmage, before the snap. If a defensive player enters the neutral zone before the snap and the offense moves, the penalty is on the defense for causing the offense to flinch. If the defensive player exits the neutral zone before the ball is snapped without touching an offensive player or causing off-sides, play continues. If the defensive lineman touches an offensive player, encroachment is called. Both encroachment and neutral zone infractions are five-yard penalties.
Holding
Defensive linemen must follow the same rules as offensive linemen pertaining to holding and illegal use of the hands. The defensive lineman may not grab the offensive player's jersey or strike the offensive player in the head or helmet. The defensive lineman must keep his hands inside the offensive player's body, meaning that the defensive player is not allowed to bring his hands around the defensive player in a hugging motion. The penalty for both holding and illegal use of the hands is five yards and an automatic first down in the National Football League, and 10 yards in both college and high school.
Roughing the Passer
Roughing the passer may be called against any defensive player, but it is a penalty commonly called against defensive linemen. Defensive linemen may tackle the quarterback when he still has the ball, but you must make a reasonable effort to avoid the passer after the ball has been thrown. If the contact is inevitable, as determined by the referee, no penalty is called. The same type of rule applies to a kicker or punter after he has kicked the ball. All roughing penalties result in 15 yards for the offense and an automatic first down.
Piling On
When a ball carrier is tackled, it is common that there will be a pile of players on the ground. To prevent injury, there is a penalty against any defensive player jumping on that pile, referred to as piling on. If a defensive lineman is whistled for this penalty, the offensive moves forward 15 yards and receives an automatic first down.
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