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As I have understood this rule:
1. If the ball comes immediately out when the defense hits it, it was knocked away - play on, good defense.
2. If the defense forces the ball to stop its motion before release, but the offensive player is able to retain control and get a release on a try or pass - play on, good offense.
3. If the defense forces the ball to stop its motion or pushes it back the other way, and the ball later comes free (and you can see this distinctly), it was a held ball before it came loose.
4. If the defense forces the ball to stop its motion or pushes it back the other way, and the offensive player gets slick and decides to drop the ball right before landing (thinking he is avoiding a travel or a held ball), it's too late - held ball before it was dropped but bonus points for effort to the offense)
The difference between 1 and 3 is a matter of judgment, but there are clearly certain times where the defense knocks the ball out of a player's hands, and others where the defense gets the ball, but it only comes loose later.
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