Defensive Holding Question

[Zebra29]

Please when answering, note if the rule is different at the 3 levels (HS, College, Pro)


The defense hold an eligible pass receiver, but there is no forward pass on the play. The QB is either sacked, or decides to run the ball.

Should there be a flag?

I hold been told previously that it is only a foul if the offense throws a forward pass beyond the neutral zone. That has been the way I have called it, waiting to throw a flag until I saw a pass being thrown. I passed on throwing a flag on that same type of play twice yesterday in my game.

I just saw a defensive holding enforced in the NFL on a sack.

Interpretations please!