Holding Penalty in Football
What is a Holding Penalty?
A holding penalty is when a player illegally grabs/holds/tackles/pulls any player other than the person with the ball. A holding penalty can be called on either the offense or defense.
Number of Yards
If the offense is called for holding, the penalty will be 10 yards from the line of scrimmage. If the hold takes place in the end zone a safety will be awarded to the defense. If the defense is called for holding, the penalty will be 5 yards.
The Signal
When signaling the holding penalty the referee will raise both hands to about chest level with elbows down and use one hand to wrap around the wrist of the opposite arm.