What is the penalty for intentional grounding?

Intentional grounding is a violation that occurs when a quarterback throws a forward pass without a realistic chance of completing it, usually to avoid a sack while lacking an eligible receiver nearby. The penalty for intentional grounding is designed to discourage this behavior because it can disrupt the flow and strategy of the game.

The correct penalty involves both a loss of down and yardage from the previous spot. Specifically, the team is penalized 5 yards from the previous spot of the snap and loses the down. This means that the offensive team not only moves back 5 yards, but they also must face a new down situation, further emphasizing the severity of the infraction.

This penalty serves as a deterrent by placing the offensive team in a less favorable position, reinforcing the importance of making a genuine attempt to throw to an eligible receiver and maintain competitive play.