Defensive holding
Penalty: Defense
What it is
A defender grabs or restricts an offensive player who is not the ball carrier, such as a receiver, in a way that stops him from getting into his route.
The penalty
The penalty is 5 yards, plus an automatic first down. The penalty is enforced from the previous spot. The offense gets a first down, even if the penalty yardage does not reach the line to gain.
More detail
It is a frequent penalty in pass coverage when a defender who is beaten grabs the receiver’s jersey.
Animated play
Blue circles are the team with the ball. X marks the other team. The yellow oval is the ball.
- The receiver runs his route and gets a step on the cornerback.
- The beaten defender grabs his jersey and holds him back so he cannot get to the ball.
- The officials flag defensive holding: five yards and an automatic first down.