Use of hands while blocking

[JRutledge]

Originally posted by devilsadvocate
I see alot of lineman in the nfl and college grasp the jersey of the defensive lineman during a block (within the frame of both players). Clearly, if you are grasping the jersey of the other player you are "holding" him. But as a casual observer it seems that "grasping the jersey" is not necessarily holding penalty.

Is there some leeway on this? What do you guys let lineman do that is within the spirit of the rule?

Not only is there some leeway, it is not holding just for that reason. Holding could be called on every single play if you just use the logic behind, “he grasped the jersey and that is holding every time." You have to consider point of attack. You have to consider who has stronger legs?
Was the blocker driving the player out of the way? Did the defender give up on the play? And what have you been calling all game long? Was there a takedown? Was the blocker beat? And lastly, is there a double team?

If you look at the college game, they do not call holding as a rule for the things I just mentioned. And the NFL will not call holding at all if it is not a take down. And the best officials in my area will not call holding at all on the type of plays I just described. I would not call that so much as leeway in the rule, but applying an advantage/disadvantage philosophy to this rule. If we called every grasp or slight pull, we would call holding on every play.

Peace