Holding

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by ppaltice

I definitely think that the first time you see someone using an illegal blocking technique (holding) that isn't a safety issue and is away from the play, it is in everyone's best interest to warn the player involved. But don't let him continue to use this technique. If he ignores your warning, penalize him.

If he continues to use the technique, it WILL be a foul when they run the ball toward him. That should be the substance of the warning.

I would not flag him only because he's still doing it after I warned him. It's still a game interrupter to flag it when it doesn't affect the play.

[falsecut]

[QUOTE=phansen;627799]If your reasoning for not calling holding away from the play is that "he couldn't make the play anyway" then why does the blocker have to hold? The defender can't make the play, right?[QUOTE]
If there is holding by the right tackle and the runner is already going down in the left flat, does anybody call that? If you're not going to use your judgement, you are in for a long game.

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by mbyron

If he continues to use the technique, it WILL be a foul when they run the ball toward him. That should be the substance of the warning.

I would not flag him only because he's still doing it after I warned him. It's still a game interrupter to flag it when it doesn't affect the play.

Most of the time that might work, but be careful someone doesn't keep doing something he shouldnn't be doing to the point the person he's doing it to feels the only way he can stop it is to take matters into his own hands. That can blow up in your face.

Even "advantage/disadvantage" has limits and bad behavior, although it has no material effect on the game, can't be tolerated or excused endlessly, or it can escalate into something a lot worse.