Receiver A1 runs his route 10 yards downfield, makes a cut and tries to run across the field. He is shoved down by B1. The ball is then passed where A1 would be if not shoved down. The ball was not thrown until after the shoving.
I always thought this was defensive pass interference. But is it?
Rule 7-5-10 states that It is forward pass interference if any player of A or B who is beyond the neutral zone interferes with an eligible opponent's opportunity to move toward, catch or bat the pass.
B1 didn't do that. There was no pass at that time, so B1's shove didn't interfere with A1's opportunity to do anything with a pass. Once the pass was thrown, B1 didn't do anything.
Should the rule book be worded differently? Or is this not pass interference?