A leverage penalty in football is a penalty against the defense that occurs when a player jumps or stands on another player in an attempt to block a field goal or punt. This penalty is part of the "unsportsmanlike conduct" category and is signaled by the referee holding their arms outstretched, palms face-down, and throwing their flag. The penalty results in a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down for the offense. The purpose of this penalty is to protect players from injuries that can occur during field goals and punts when someone leaps onto another player.

Examples of leverage penalties include:

• Michigan State vs. University of Indiana, 2016: Drake Martinez (Mich. State) bounded over Indiana’s line in an attempt to block a 33-yard field goal. He failed to block the field goal, but the penalty gave Indiana another try at a field goal. Indiana made the now 17-yard field goal to force overtime, and Indiana eventually won the game.

• Steelers vs. Raiders, 2023: In this game, the Steelers were called for a leverage penalty, which gifted the Raiders a first down.

Leverage penalties are incredibly costly because, along with the yardage penalty, they give the offense an automatic first down. This is especially tough on the offending team as these penalties almost only occur on fourth downs, since the opposing team is kicking or punting the ball.