Demonstrated Restriction

Here is a Ray Lutz “Forward Progress” post from August 11, 2012 (Edited for clarity)

I like to talk a lot about holding calls because I think a lot of them that we call are BS calls. I want us to get the ones that really count and make a significant difference. Reserve your flag for the critical hold on the edge that enables the ball carrier to successfully negotiate the perimeter. Save the flag for the hold at the point of attack that keeps the defensive tackle from making the play that he was positioned to make. Save the flag for the pass blocker who “clotheslines” the defender when he gets beat. Make them count.

At our joint crew meeting last night a couple of people brought up great points to remember when officiating holding. John Carricato pointed out that if we don’t react too soon with our flag and take just a second or two longer to see what actually happened on the play, we will make better decisions.

Jeff Remley, our grizzled veteran, made a great point that I had not thought of in a while. For there to be holding, there must be a “demonstrated restriction.” Jeff’s point was it is up to the defense to demonstrate the restriction. It is the defender’s job to show us he is being held. He does this by desperately trying to get free of the hold so that we can see the restriction. Some players are happy to be held. They have done their job and have turned the play in a particular direction or have filled a hole, and their job is done. They don’t try to get free, and therefore, the philosophy is they are not being held.

Then last night when I got home, there was a note from a friend of mine in Utah complaining about a critical holding call his umpire made last Friday evening. He had just reviewed the tape. The offense had double-teamed the defensive tackle, who was way removed from the passer, and the umpire threw a rag on the double team. My friend’s point is that by philosophy, we seldom, if ever, call holding on the offense when they have dedicated two players to the defender.

So, in my withered mind, holding is still the most difficult foul to call and to call right. We want to get the “Elephants” but pass on the “Ants.” This is sometimes easier said than done.

Quiz

Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer.

A53 is sent off the field because he has an open, bleeding wound. The Team A coach requests and is granted a timeout. The coach sends A53 onto the field after the 1-minute time-out intermission.