Restriction and proximity to the ball carrier are the two important elements of holding.

 

If a defender is "grabbed", the ball carrier must be in the immidiate vicinity of the defender, and that grabbing must be so restrictive that it prevents the defender from making a tackle for the action to be deemed holding.

 

Otherwise, it's just grabbing (which is not a foul).

 

I've called holding 5 times in 15 years.

I really like the contribution you make to this forum.

 

I hope to learn a lot from your responses. Thanks!

I read a lot of game threads with "they missed a lot of holding calls" comments. Those people don't realize it, but what they're really saying is "our guys were getting blocked and we're sore that the ref's didn't give us some charity flags".

 

Thanks for the kind words, by the way.

I read a lot of game threads with "they missed a lot of holding calls" comments. Those people don't realize it, but what they're really saying is "our guys were getting blocked and we're sore that the ref's didn't give us some charity flags".

 

Thanks for the kind words, by the way.

I heard an interesting discussion the other day. It was referencing the holding calls made in NFL games, but it could certainly pertain to high school or college games as well.

 

The discussion was along the lines that since holding is such an arbitrary call and officials have different interpretations of the rule, eliminate holding penalties by making it legal for offensive players to hold. Offensive lineman would be able to grab and/or tackle their opponents with no penalty. It is an interesting take.

 

Your thoughts.

I heard an interesting discussion the other day. It was referencing the holding calls made in NFL games, but it could certainly pertain to high school or college games as well.

 

The discussion was along the lines that since holding is such an arbitrary call and officials have different interpretations of the rule, eliminate holding penalties by making it legal for offensive players to hold. Offensive lineman would be able to grab and/or tackle their opponents with no penalty. It is an interesting take.

 

Your thoughts.

 

Here's my philosophy: It is LEGAL for offensive linemen to use his hands or arms to hook, lock, clamp, grasp, encircle or hold an opponent, so long as there is no RESTRICTION of the opponent. You can see a "hook, lock, clamp, grasp, encircle or hold" on every play. That's just part of blocking. It's the RESTRICTION that the officials need to do a better job of judging. If the restriction is slight, it's nothing. Only if the restriction keeps the defender from directly making a tackle should holding be considered.

 

The problem, as we all know, is there are a few refs out there (at all levels) who like to sling a flag at the sight of a little jersey grabbing. THAT makes us inconsistent.

Here's my philosophy: It is LEGAL for offensive linemen to use his hands or arms to hook, lock, clamp, grasp, encircle or hold an opponent, so long as there is no RESTRICTION of the opponent. You can see a "hook, lock, clamp, grasp, encircle or hold" on every play. That's just part of blocking. It's the RESTRICTION that the officials need to do a better job of judging. If the restriction is slight, it's nothing. Only if the restriction keeps the defender from directly making a tackle should holding be considered.

 

The problem, as we all know, is there are a few refs out there (at all levels) who like to sling a flag at the sight of a little jersey grabbing. THAT makes us inconsistent.

 

 

Where have you been all of my life? :lol:

Here's my philosophy: It is LEGAL for offensive linemen to use his hands or arms to hook, lock, clamp, grasp, encircle or hold an opponent, so long as there is no RESTRICTION of the opponent. You can see a "hook, lock, clamp, grasp, encircle or hold" on every play. That's just part of blocking. It's the RESTRICTION that the officials need to do a better job of judging. If the restriction is slight, it's nothing. Only if the restriction keeps the defender from directly making a tackle should holding be considered.

 

The problem, as we all know, is there are a few refs out there (at all levels) who like to sling a flag at the sight of a little jersey grabbing. THAT makes us inconsistent.

I love your philosophy.

 

Can you spread this philosophy to your peers?

We're working on it, one meeting at a time.

We're working on it, one meeting at a time.

I can attest to having witnessed Offside body of work that he is among the elite.

One thing about this forum is that an official will not call out an official because 1) we weren't there and 2) we are getting information through the interpretation of a fan or a coach. 3) Basically against a code of professionalism and ethics.

 

With that in mind, if a question is posed like Team A is running for a touchdown on a scrimmage run and during the play, Cameraman A, while within the team box, steps onto the field and collides with the linesman on that side we could comment on that. Notice that it doesn't incite deep inner feelings about having to drive hours away for a playoff game!

 

With the exposure that particular play got, it would be not in the best interest to say it was the right call or the wrong call. One question to ask yourself is was the foul a violation of the rule book. If it is, then the official is in his right to throw the flag. Second thing is when the official reports the foul, then it is on the whole crew to make sure it is enforced correctly.

 

Case in point- Team A is a very highly ranked team playing a perennial also ran who is having a good year, but doesn't match up physically. The also ran plays their heart out but the stronger team is about to push across the go ahead touchdown in the 4th quarter. On first and goal from the 2 yard line, the offense throws a quick slant to the Wide receiver but the defensive back steps in front of the pass and goes 98 yards to seal the upset. Our somewhat inexperienced umpire has a live ball mouthpiece equipment violation against the defense. It was a quick discussion among all 5 of us that one, that wasn't going to be called and b) had no affect on the play. We ate the flag and got in position for the extra point but that was a crew ( led by the referee) decision.

Rule 1-2-3d

A 4-inch-wide restraining line shall be placed around the outside of the

field, at least 2 yards from the sidelines and end lines, as an extension of

the line limiting the team box area, except in stadiums where the total playing

enclosure does not permit the restraining line. It is recommended that

the restraining line be marked by placing 12-inch-long lines, separated at

24-inch intervals.

 

Rule 2-26-8

A restraining line is a line placed around the outside of the field. No

person, including but not limited to, spectators, game administrators or members

of the media, shall be allowed within the restraining line. A maximum of

three coaches as well as permitted nonplayers are allowed within the restraining

line in front of the team box, as provided for in Rule 9-8-3.

 

Rule 9-8-3

A nonplayer shall not be outside his team box unless to become a

player or to return as a replaced player. A maximum of three coaches may be in

the restricted area. No player, non-player or coach shall be in the restricted area

when the ball is live.

 

Rule 10-4-5

The basic spot is the succeeding spot:

a. For an unsportsmanlike foul.

b. For a dead-ball foul.

c. For a nonplayer foul.

d. When the final result is a touchback.

 

If the photographer or anyone else inside the 2 yard restrained area it is a 15 yard non-player foul. Officials are to enforce this as a point of emphasis this year for safety purposes. Both officials and the person in the area are at risk of injury in the case of collission. Since officials are watching the play and the field, they need to be able to maeuver in this area without risk of running into someone or something. Officials routinely ask people in this area to move back behid the line and seldom penalize a team for this, because the teams are aware of this and work to keep the area clear.

 

If this foul occurs on a scoring play, the penalty should be assessed on the try for point.

Edited October 29, 200916 yr by Hey-Ref

I'll take offside's point a step further.

 

If an A player is holding a B player and B still makes the tackle, no foul.

If A holds B and B makes no attempt to get separation from A, no foul.

If A holds B on the back side of a stretch play, not at the point of attack, then no foul.

If A1 and A2 double team B1 and hold him, no foul because they are giving up 2 to block 1.

 

For holding to be a foul it must be at the point of attack, impact the play and be big and visible for all to see. Also, the offending player must gain an advantage by the hold for it to be called a foul.