Hard count (gridiron football)

A loud home crowd can deprive a visiting quarterback of the ability to use this strategy.

If the defense jumps offside, they are penalized 5 yards, resulting in a first down for the offense.

The hard count is also often used right before the end of the first or third quarters and before the two-minute warning since there will be a stoppage in play before any possible delay of game penalty in those situations.

If the defense jumps offside, but the offense begins their play, it is called a "free play", because if the offense gains yardage or scores a touchdown, they can decline the penalty and benefit from the gain or score, while if they execute a risky pass that is intercepted or are in their own end zone and are taken down for a safety, the turnover or defensive score is nullified by the offsides penalty.

The offense may choose to use the hard count throughout the game, in an attempt to confuse the defense, and get them to play more conservatively.