In gridiron football, the neutral zone is an area in which no member of either team may be, other than the person holding the ball.
The neutral zone only exists in dead ball situations (i.e. when play is not ongoing).
The snapper (usually the center) is exempt, as he must place his hand on the ball (thus entering the neutral/scrimmage zone) to execute the snap.
The one-yard neutral zone is also used in the China Arena Football League[2] and was tested for use in the XFL but eventually rejected.
In accordance to NFL rules, an additional definition of the neutral zone came into effect after a September 12, 2005, fight between the Philadelphia Eagles' Jeremiah Trotter and the Atlanta Falcons' Kevin Mathis that occurred prior to the opening kickoff.