What is 'holding'?

What is 'holding'?

Darrin Chiaverini (Football Coach and Professional Athlete) gives expert video advice on: What is a 'delay of game'?; What is 'offsides'?; What is 'encroachment'? and more...

Holding is a great penalty, because holding happens on every single play in football. It just depends on when they're going to call it. Offensive linemen hold on every play, and we all know that. And defensive backs hold on every play too. It's just a matter of when they're going to call it. Basically what happens is, if an offensive player is blocking a defensive lineman and he tries to get away, if the referee sees jersey coming, he'll throw a flag, which is a ten yard penalty.