Author Topic: Defensive Holding?  (Read 5112 times)

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Offline NVFOA_Ump

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Defensive Holding?
« on: October 26, 2014, 09:23:37 AM »
Always a first - anything here?

Had a play this week where a defensive lineman who clearly was too strong but not quicker than the tackle that was blocking him finally got frustrated and locked onto the A blocker with both hands and virtually carried him back a couple of steps and "threw" him into the QB resulting in a sack, although the defender himself never came close to touching the QB.  How much leeway do we allow the defense here on a pass rush before we would call defensive holding?
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Offline DallasLJ

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Re: Defensive Holding?
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2014, 10:58:43 AM »
I am not sure I have anything here.  If the Defender is simply driving his blocker backwards -- than I got nothing.  He is not "holding" in the context of a pull and shoot in order to allow a teammate to make a play by going around a blocker.  He is making the play himself by simply beating his man. I got nothing.

Offline Rulesman

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Re: Defensive Holding?
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2014, 03:58:49 PM »
By "virtually carrying him back a couple of steps" is holding to me.
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Offline mishatx

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Re: Defensive Holding?
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2014, 05:38:36 PM »
Gotta see it, but unless he's got his arms wrapped all the way around him, I think I have nothing. (As long as that "throw" is not a PF of some sort)

ARTICLE 4. a. Defensive players may use hands and arms to push, pull, ward
off or lift offensive players when attempting to reach the runner.
b. Defensive players may not use hands and arms to tackle, hold or otherwise
illegally obstruct an opponent other than a runner.
PENALTY—10 yards [S42].
c. Defensive players may use hands and arms to push, pull, ward off or lift
offensive players obviously attempting to block them.


Offline Welpe

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Re: Defensive Holding?
« Reply #4 on: October 27, 2014, 09:35:13 AM »
ARTICLE 4. a. Defensive players may use hands and arms to push, pull, ward
off or lift offensive players when attempting to reach the runner.

c. Defensive players may use hands and arms to push, pull, ward off or lift
offensive players obviously attempting to block them.

I think either of these would apply in this situation. It's one thing to hold a pulling guard or the ol' pull and shoot but if the defender "holding" is the one making the tackle, I don't see how you could rule other than above.