[cdoug]

Originally Posted by ajmc

The principle is rather direct. Giving the defense the benefit of the doubt, if the potential receiver is a possible threat to the defender, the defender has a right to protect himself. When that receiver stops being a potential threat, the defender no longer can claim self defense.

When a receiver is moving away from a defender, deliberately impeding him is defensive holding (presuming the ball has yet to be thrown). Holding, in this context, includes pushing, knocking off stride with a shoulder of hip or any action that you decide is not related to the receiver being a potential threat.

No two acts are exactly alike and each one requires a unique judgment of what you witness is happening.

Is the in HS and college or just one or the other?