Defensive Holding/Illegal block

[Bob M.]

REPLY: I'm with BullDog on his answers to your questions. Typically, defensive holding will be called when an defensive player grabs and restricts his offensive opponent from moving with no attempt to get at the ball carrier or a loose ball he can legally possess. The kind of plays where he 'momentarily' grabs the offensive player to throw him aside ("ward off a block") should be ignored.

BD also alluded to another instance of defensive holding. The illegal "pull-and-shoot" technique is used on punts, FGs and tries. Defensive lineman pulls his opponent down and away so that a linebacker or DB can shoot the gap to block the kick.