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.)
Be The Referee: Sideline Safety
November 12, 2019
This week, MHSAA officials coordinator Sam Davis explains the expectation for sideline safety concerning officials, coaches and team personnel who occupy this area of the football field.
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 - Sideline Safety - Listen
Safety in football continues to be a hot topic. We have talked previously here about rules that have improved player safety. Today we’re going to focus on the adults - specifically coaches and officials that work at the sideline area just in front of the team box.
The rules require that from the time just before the snap until the end of the play, all coaches and team personnel must be completely out of the 6-foot safety zone located in front of the team box at each sideline. This then gives the official plenty of room to work unimpeded in either direction.
Now as soon as the play ends, coaches can move into this area to instruct their players or send in the next play and then move back prior to the next snap.
Past editions
Nov. 7: Officials Playlist - Listen
Oct. 31: Most Important Line - Listen
Oct. 24: Automatic 1st Downs - Listen
Oct. 17: Catch Momentum - Listen
Oct. 10: Golf Rules Changes - Listen
Oct. 3: No Tackle Box - Listen
Sept. 26: You Make the Overtime Call - Listen
Sept. 19: Swimming Finishing Touch - Listen
Sept. 12: Curbing Gamesmanship By Substitution - Listen
Sept. 5: Football Safety Rules Changes - Listen
Aug. 29: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen