Coming up on 2H

November 1, 2012

The second championship weekend of the MHSAA fall season means plenty of coverage posting all Saturday from the Lower Peninsula Cross Country and Boys Soccer Finals.

  • Come back all day for reports, photos and results from all eight cross country races at Michigan International Speedway.
  • We'll also have game coverage of all four Soccer Finals being played at East Kentwood and Troy Athens.
  • Also, check back Friday night for features on Cedar Springs runner Connor Mora, who broke 15 minutes last week, and Battle Creek St. Philip Miss Volleyball candidate Amanda McKinzie.

Be the Referee: Football Holding

By Sam Davis
MHSAA Director of Officials

August 27, 2024

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment – Football Holding - Listen

In football, it’s often said that holding happens on every play. But does it?

When an offensive player uses their hands or arms to illegally restrain a defensive player – that’s holding. This typically happens when blockers grab or pull defensive players away from their path – impeding their ability to make a play. The penalty is 10 yards from the previous spot.

Defensive players can be flagged for holding as well. That’s also a 10-yard penalty. An example of defensive holding is when a cornerback grabs a receiver to slow him down before the ball is thrown. If that same contact happens while the pass is in the air – then it’s pass interference. Defensive pass interference is a 15-yard penalty.

PHOTO A football official signals holding during a 2023 game. (Photo by Gary Shook.)