Can we please stop with the nonsensical old saw that the officials “could call holding on every play.?” IT’S NOT TRUE!!! What you can say is that there is a technical violation of blocking rules on every play ... often several. But as has been pointed out on the GID in many different contexts, the black and white of the rulebook is only the starting point when deciding whether to call a foul. I’ve seen many different formulations of the criteria for calling holding, but they all basically come down to a few important rules:
There must be a violation of the rules.
You have to see all the contact, from engagement to disengagement.
If the blocker is simply overpowering the defender, it’s not holding.
Should be near the point of attack.
Has to have an impact on the play.
The defender must make the attempt to get off the block.
Should fit into one of several classifications of holding:
BEAR HUG
WRAP/GRAB & TURN
SHOULDER DIP
SHIRT STRETCH
PULLOVER
GRAB OF LEG
PULL AND SHOOT
If it doesn’t fit into one of these classifications, you should think long and hard before throwing the flag. So, the next time you hear on TV that the officials could call holding on every play, just smile knowingly and say to yourself “I know better.”
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Bobref
Can we please stop with the nonsensical old saw that the officials “could call holding on every play.?” IT’S NOT TRUE!!! What you can say is that there is a technical violation of blocking rules on every play ... often several. But as has been pointed out on the GID in many different contexts, the black and white of the rulebook is only the starting point when deciding whether to call a foul. I’ve seen many different formulations of the criteria for calling holding, but they all basically come down to a few important rules:
If it doesn’t fit into one of these classifications, you should think long and hard before throwing the flag. So, the next time you hear on TV that the officials could call holding on every play, just smile knowingly and say to yourself “I know better.”
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