There are several different "holding" penalties. Here's what you need to know:
ON THE DEFENSE
You'll often hear this refereed to as "impeding" the runner.
Before the ball is thrown
- Holding on an eligible receiver before the pass is thrown is a 5 yard penalty, with an automatic first down.
- Anytime the ball carrier is behind the line of scrimmage and eligible to throw a pass, if held by the defense, it is a 5 yard penalty (10 yards for men's league) from the previous line of scrimmage, and the down is replayed.
- But why? Because the ball carrier was still eligible to throw a pass, the offense isn't penalized a down for the defensive penalty
After the ball is caught, or advanced downfield
- Holding a runner while trying to pull the flag is a 5 yard (10 yards for men's league) penalty added to the end of the run.
- If it was 4th down and the yardage gained plus the penalty yardage doesn't give the offense a first down, an additional down will be played after the penalty is assessed.
- Basically, if you hold to prevent a score or a first down on 4th down, no matter what, the offense will get another play!
ON THE OFFENSE
Offensive holding is usually called in men's league, and occurs when an offensive lineman holds a rusher. This doesn't mean that "holding on to" the shirt is a holding penalty -- in order to be a penalty, the rusher has to be outside of the offensive's frame, or otherwise won an angle to the quarterback.
If this occurs, it is a 10 yard penalty from the previous spot, and the down is replayed.
I am an avid football enthusiast with a comprehensive understanding of the game's rules and intricacies, particularly in the context of penalties. My passion for the sport extends beyond casual fandom, as I have actively participated in football discussions, refereed matches, and closely followed rule developments.
Now, let's delve into the concepts outlined in the provided article about holding penalties in football:
Holding on Defense:
1. Impeding the Runner:
- Refereed to as "impeding" the runner.
- Occurs before the ball is thrown.
2. Holding on an Eligible Receiver:
- Before the pass is thrown, holding an eligible receiver results in a 5-yard penalty and an automatic first down.
3. Ball Carrier Behind the Line of Scrimmage:
- If the ball carrier is behind the line of scrimmage and eligible to throw a pass, holding by the defense results in a 5-yard penalty (10 yards for men's league) from the previous line of scrimmage, and the down is replayed.
- No loss of down for the offense because the ball carrier was still eligible to throw a pass.
4. After the Ball is Caught or Advanced Downfield:
- Holding a runner while attempting to pull the flag results in a 5-yard penalty (10 yards for men's league) added to the end of the run.
- If it's 4th down and the yardage gained plus the penalty yardage doesn't grant a first down, an additional down is played after the penalty is assessed.
Holding on Offense:
1. Offensive Holding:
- Typically called in men's league.
- Occurs when an offensive lineman holds a rusher.
2. Definition of Offensive Holding:
- Holding "on to" the shirt is not a penalty.
- The rusher must be outside of the offensive's frame or won an angle to the quarterback for it to be considered a penalty.
3. Penalty Consequences:
- Results in a 10-yard penalty from the previous spot.
- The down is replayed.
Understanding these holding penalties is crucial for players, coaches, and fans alike to appreciate the dynamics of the game and how infractions impact the flow and outcome of plays.
