Expert: Thom Brooks - 11/15/2009

Question
I attended the UNC/Miami football game yesterday, I saw what appeared to several holding calls missed against Miami pass rushers.  Can you offer a layman's description of holding?  My understanding is pretty much that if your shoulders are behind the opposing players, your hands are no longer considered "in the frame" and you aren't allowed further use of your hands to impede the opposing player.  What I've found on the web isn't as clear as I'd like (including/especially the quotes from the rulebook!).  Thanks!

Answer
Lee, hello!

Sometimes the officials do miss calls.  Sometimes they decide to not throw a flag unless that violation had an impact on the play.  Around the ball at the snap, the Free Blocking Zone is 6 by 8.  Holding is called anywhere on the field but if the Lineman grab and let go, a flag may be kept in the pocket.  When they go outside the frame and clearly hang on or take the man down, the flag will be thrown.  They're not supposed to grab a fist full of jersey but every play can show someone trying to circumvent the rules.  

Beyond Holding, you could have illegal use of the Hands or a Personal Foul.  The Officials talk to both teams before and after a play to keep the plays running smoothly.  The players will tattle on each other.  The fans and Coaches swear up and down their man is getting abused on every play.  So, sometimes the penalty is not as obvious to the Official as it is of those who feel slighted!

The players are not supposed to use their hands to hook, lock, clamp, grasp, encircle or hold in an effort to restrain the opponent.

Closed or Cupped Hand Technique:
The elbows may be inside or outside the shoulders.
The hands must be closed or cupped with the palms not facing the opponent.
The forearms are extended no more than 45 degrees from the body.


Open Hand Technique.  The hands shall be:
In advance of the elbow.
Inside the frame (front of the obdy at or below the shoulders), except when he turns his back.
Open, when the palms are facing the frame of the opponent or when the forearms are extended beyond the 45 degree angle from the body.


As you can see, the Hold is sometimes not obvious.  




Take Care,

Thom Brooks
www.BrooksInsuranceSchool.com
Savannah Adult Baseball League

Please review the following websites. The first one is my youngest son's band! Listen2Three.com


The Official Web Site of the NCAA - NCAA.org - NCAA.org




http://www.ncaapublications.com/Uploads/PDF/Football_Rulesadc982b5-03fb-4e27-828...

ncaa.org/library/rules/2006/2006_football_rules.pdf

D1AFootball.com




REFEREE, the Magazine for Sports Officials


National Association of Sports Officials