Rush (football)

In American football, rushing has two different meanings. The first is an action taken by the offensive team that means to advance the ball by running, as opposed to passing. The other is an action taken by the defensive team that means to run towards the quarterback or punt kicker across the line of scrimmage for the purpose of tackling the quarterback, or blocking or disrupting the punt or pass. Note that according to the rules in both college and professional football, tackling the quarterback after he has passed the ball is a penalty, and tackling the punt kicker is always a penalty. Defensive rushers may only block or interfere with a punt and may not touch the kicker at all. Intentionally tackling the punt kicker is considered a personal foul.