Satherlie, Chicago Drew, offensive receivers are restricted from blocking downfield prior to the ball being touched by either team. They are also restricted from driving through a defender who has established position and cannot make contact with a defender by shoving or pushing off, thus creating a separation in an attempt to catch a pass. This is the definition of offensive pass interference. When a receiver uses his hands to separate himself from a defender, it is offensive pass interference. Conversely if the defender pushes the receiver out of the way, it is defensive pass interference.
Offensive interference is called whenever the above situations occur.
Many situations that you view on television may look like interference, but are legal plays. Action that does not constitute offensive pass interference is incidental contact by a receiver's hands, arms or body when both players are competing for the ball. Inadvertent touching of feet when both players are playing the ball or when neither player is playing the ball is not interference. Contact that would normally be considered interference when the ball is clearly un-catchable is also not interference. The most recent version of instant replay, in which only the refs may call for a review at the end of the half and the end of the game seems to put undue emphasis and pressure on the refs in a game that should be decided by the players.