from SoCal Referees:
7 A ball carrier may hand off an opponent. Can 10.4 (e) apply?
Question:
The attacking ball carrier is allowed to fend with an open hand to the chest or face. Is it possible to give a guideline to when a fend becomes dangerous and how a referee can identify and judge that action?
Response:
The law is very clear on this:
Law 7
A ball carrier may hand-off an opponent and is clearly defined:
Hand-off: An action taken by a ball carrier to fend off an opponent by using the palm of the hand.
Referees that penalize hand-offs to the head are making law up as they go along and should stop doing so. You are illegally removing a key skill from the game.
There is a very clear and easy distinction:
The hand that goes to the face and holds the opponent at arms length or pushes them away is NOT illegal.
Perfect example:
Please Note *****
When delivered with deliberate impact (especially with the butt of hand), striking the face is illegal.