Which of the following statements about holding is accurate?

Which of the following statements about holding is accurate?

• A. It is only called on offensive players.
• B. It can be called on offensive or defensive players.
• C. It is a rare penalty.
• D. It is a foul usually resulting in a loss of down.

Answer: (B)

Holding is a penalty that can indeed be called on both offensive and defensive players during a football game. When an offensive player commits holding, it typically involves grabbing or restricting the movement of a defender to prevent them from making a tackle. Offensive holding is a common penalty that results in a loss of yardage. On the defensive side, holding can occur when a defender impedes the movement of an offensive player, often during a play. This broad applicability to both sides of the ball is what makes the statement correct; holding is not exclusive to offensive players but can arise in various contexts across both offensive and defensive plays. The other statements present limited or inaccurate views. For instance, holding is not exceptionally rare; it occurs frequently in games, especially in tightly contested situations. Similarly, while holding penalties on the offense result in a loss of yardage, they do not necessarily lead to a loss of down unless it's a specific case like a more severe infraction (e.g., holding during a passing play). Thus, the full understanding of holding in football encompasses its occurrence on both sides of the ball.

Holding is a penalty that can indeed be called on both offensive and defensive players during a football game. When an offensive player commits holding, it typically involves grabbing or restricting the movement of a defender to prevent them from making a tackle. Offensive holding is a common penalty that results in a loss of yardage. On the defensive side, holding can occur when a defender impedes the movement of an offensive player, often during a play. This broad applicability to both sides of the ball is what makes the statement correct; holding is not exclusive to offensive players but can arise in various contexts across both offensive and defensive plays.

The other statements present limited or inaccurate views. For instance, holding is not exceptionally rare; it occurs frequently in games, especially in tightly contested situations. Similarly, while holding penalties on the offense result in a loss of yardage, they do not necessarily lead to a loss of down unless it's a specific case like a more severe infraction (e.g., holding during a passing play). Thus, the full understanding of holding in football encompasses its occurrence on both sides of the ball.