The Holder (NCAA)
 

Quirky question. The rule book and Redding tell us it is ok to take or bat the ball from the holder. My question is when is the holder down? Since he is down by the normal definition, what do we need to do to make him down (assuming the requirements of the exception are otherwise met). Will simply touching him make him down? If so, it would be very difficult to get the ball from him without touching him. Thoughts?

If he's so held that his progress is stopped, he's down. Touching doesn't do that.

I think if an opponent got between the ball and the ostensible kicker-to-be, that would kill the ball too.