Illegal Use of Hands
Definition
Illegal use of the hands against a player while attempting to ward off a block, cover a receiver, or tackle a ball carrier. There are several restrictions on how a player may initiate contact, such as hands to the facemask of the other player involved in the blocking.
Outcome
10 yards if committed by offense; 5 yards and automatic first down if committed by defense
- View Illegal Use of Hands Penalties By:
 - Teams
 - Teams - Per Game
 - Player
 - Position
 - Week
 - Down and Distance
 - Referee/Crew
 - Complete Penalty Log
 - Season
 
Penalties By Season
Note: Offsetting and Declined penalties are ignored, except where specified.
| Season | Games | Penalty Count | Penalty Yards | Home | Away | Declined | Offsetting | Total Flags | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 269 | 50 | 344 | 21 | 29 | 18 | 4 | 72 | 
| 2021 | 285 | 75 | 473 | 35 | 40 | 29 | 3 | 107 | 
| 2022 | 284 | 59 | 352 | 35 | 24 | 21 | 4 | 84 | 
| 2024 | 285 | 72 | 412 | 33 | 39 | 23 | 7 | 102 | 
| 2009 | 267 | 39 | 244 | 18 | 21 | 14 | 5 | 58 | 
| 2010 | 267 | 38 | 250 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 8 | 63 | 
| 2011 | 267 | 75 | 511 | 38 | 37 | 21 | 2 | 98 | 
| 2012 | 267 | 81 | 518 | 41 | 40 | 19 | 0 | 100 | 
| 2013 | 267 | 75 | 532 | 37 | 38 | 23 | 2 | 100 | 
| 2014 | 267 | 167 | 1125 | 87 | 80 | 50 | 19 | 236 | 
| 2015 | 267 | 119 | 754 | 68 | 51 | 38 | 11 | 168 | 
| 2016 | 267 | 91 | 611 | 48 | 43 | 34 | 3 | 128 | 
| 2017 | 267 | 110 | 690 | 52 | 58 | 39 | 5 | 154 | 
| 2018 | 267 | 76 | 461 | 35 | 41 | 18 | 2 | 96 | 
| 2019 | 267 | 99 | 600 | 45 | 54 | 43 | 7 | 149 | 
| 2023 | 285 | 60 | 361 | 34 | 26 | 19 | 2 | 81 | 
| 2025 | 135 | 30 | 160 | 20 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 38 | 
| Totals | 4480 | 1316 | 8398 | 665 | 651 | 434 | 84 | 1834 | 
Penalties By Season - Per Game
Note: Offsetting and Declined penalties are ignored, except where specified.
| Season | Games | Penalty Count | Penalty Yards | Home | Away | Declined | Offsetting | Total Flags | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 269 | 0.19 | 1.28 | 0.08 | 0.11 | 0.07 | 0.01 | 0.27 | 
| 2021 | 285 | 0.26 | 1.66 | 0.12 | 0.14 | 0.10 | 0.01 | 0.38 | 
| 2022 | 284 | 0.21 | 1.24 | 0.12 | 0.08 | 0.07 | 0.01 | 0.30 | 
| 2024 | 285 | 0.25 | 1.45 | 0.12 | 0.14 | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.36 | 
| 2009 | 267 | 0.15 | 0.91 | 0.07 | 0.08 | 0.05 | 0.02 | 0.22 | 
| 2010 | 267 | 0.14 | 0.94 | 0.07 | 0.07 | 0.06 | 0.03 | 0.24 | 
| 2011 | 267 | 0.28 | 1.91 | 0.14 | 0.14 | 0.08 | 0.01 | 0.37 | 
| 2012 | 267 | 0.30 | 1.94 | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.07 | 0.00 | 0.37 | 
| 2013 | 267 | 0.28 | 1.99 | 0.14 | 0.14 | 0.09 | 0.01 | 0.37 | 
| 2014 | 267 | 0.63 | 4.21 | 0.33 | 0.30 | 0.19 | 0.07 | 0.88 | 
| 2015 | 267 | 0.45 | 2.82 | 0.25 | 0.19 | 0.14 | 0.04 | 0.63 | 
| 2016 | 267 | 0.34 | 2.29 | 0.18 | 0.16 | 0.13 | 0.01 | 0.48 | 
| 2017 | 267 | 0.41 | 2.58 | 0.19 | 0.22 | 0.15 | 0.02 | 0.58 | 
| 2018 | 267 | 0.28 | 1.73 | 0.13 | 0.15 | 0.07 | 0.01 | 0.36 | 
| 2019 | 267 | 0.37 | 2.25 | 0.17 | 0.20 | 0.16 | 0.03 | 0.56 | 
| 2023 | 285 | 0.21 | 1.27 | 0.12 | 0.09 | 0.07 | 0.01 | 0.28 | 
| 2025 | 135 | 0.22 | 1.19 | 0.15 | 0.07 | 0.06 | 0.00 | 0.28 | 
| Totals | 4480 | 0.29 | 1.87 | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.10 | 0.02 | 0.41 | 
