Geosynthetic materials used as reinforcement in earth fills, ground and slopes mobilize shear stress at the interface and tensile force in the geosynthetic. In most studies, the resistance mobilized due to only axial pull is considered in the analysis for stability of reinforced earth structures. However, the kinematics of failure clearly establishes the reinforcement to be displaced obliquely. In this paper, a new approach is presented for the analysis of sheet reinforcement subjected to transverse force/displacement. Considering a non-linear subgrade/fill, non-linear shear stress- displacement response of interface and inextensible reinforcement, the resistance to transverse displacement is estimated. The response of the geosynthetic to the applied force is shown to depend not only on the interface shear characteristics of the reinforcement but also on the deformation response of the ground. A relation is established between pullout resistance and transverse free end displacement. A parametric study quantifies the effects of the fill-reinforcement interface characteristics on the overall response.