Rule 9 – Section 3 – Article 5 – Use of Hands or Arms by Defense: Passing Downs

During a legal forward pass play in which the pass crosses the neutral zone, if before the pass is touched there is a contact foul by Team B beyond the neutral zone against an eligible receiver (other than pass interference), the penalty includes an automatic first down.
PENALTY − 10 or 15 yards and automatic first down if the first down is not in conflict with other rules [S38, S42, S43 or S45: IUH/DEH/PF-*].