# Football Offsides Rules: NFL, College, and High School
Offsides, encroachment, and neutral zone infractions are commonly confused penalties.
## The Three Penalties
**Offsides:** Player in or beyond neutral zone at snap. 5 yards, replay down.
**Encroachment:** Defender crosses neutral zone + contact before snap. 5 yards, dead ball.
**Neutral Zone Infraction:** Defender enters neutral zone, causes offense to react. 5 yards, dead ball.
## The Neutral Zone
The space between the two lines of scrimmage (approximately 11 inches, the ball's length).
## NFL vs College vs High School
| Aspect | NFL | NCAA | NFHS |
|--------|-----|------|------|
| Offsides call | Yes | Yes | Called as encroachment |
| Free plays | Yes | Rarely | Never |
| Pre-snap movement | Liberal | Moderate | Strict |
## Offensive Offsides
Offensive linemen beyond neutral zone at snap, or players in motion moving forward at snap. Same 5-yard penalty.
## FAQ
**Can offsides be reviewed?** Not challengeable in NFL.
**Why free plays in NFL but not college?** NFL prioritizes entertainment; college prioritizes player safety.
**Delay of game vs offsides?** Delay of game = play clock expires. Offsides = positioning penalty.
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