Holding

[MJT]

Originally posted by Middleman
a) is holding (9-2-1c) and possibly a personal foul (9-4-2b).

b) you have what some call a "pancake." It is illegal when prolonged and flagrant, as you described, because it is not a legal blocking technique (2-3-2) and falls under Illegal Personal Contact (9-4-2e), and, therefore, Illegal Blocking (9-3-1c).

c) is not illegal, provided the "slip" is unintentional and not a personal foul (9-4-2c).

d) is most likely a personal foul under 9-4-2b or 9-4-2g. An opponent who is lying on the ground is probably out of the play already.

I cannot believe you would call a lineman for a hold if he pancakes him and lays on him. 9-4-2e is referring to positioning or using the shoulders or body of a teammate or opponent in order to block a kick or something similar. No way this is a foul if he lays on him with his hands up or out to his side - not holding him down. When the play is gone, the R should go and say "we are done here" and if they do not unpile then you may have a PF. Preventative officiating and communication will keep this from becoming a PF. I mean, if you pancake him, who says you have to "let him up" just so you can do it again. Now, of course, it could end up a PF, but not as described here.