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.)
Unforgettable 5ive: 2021 Football Week 5
By
Jon Ross
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties
September 29, 2021
Here's a look at our Week 5 "Unforgettable 5ive" from MHSAA.tv and MHSAA media partner broadcasts:
► Wyatt Nausadis of Traverse City St. Francis maneuvers for a 31-yard touchdown run as his team defeated Boyne City 48-14.
► Shane Aho scores from two yards out to give Hancock a 20-17 win in the Copper Bowl over Houghton. The game was played in a driving rainstorm.
► Cole Lindow of Frankenmuth goes 93 yards for the score before halftime as the Eagles rolled to a 48-21 win over Freeland.
► DeWitt's Tommy McIntosh hauls in a 56-yard touchdown pass from Ty Holtz as the Panthers defeated Grand Ledge 57-15.
► Logan McColley intercepts a Plainwell pass and returns it for a touchdown in Edwardsburg's 49-0 win over the Trojans.