What Is Holding in Football?
Holding in football is illegally grabbing or restraining a player without the ball. Learn offensive vs defensive holding and the yardage penalties.
Author
Steen Kirby
Senior Tennis Writer
Writing since 2012
46 articles
Steen Kirby is a sports journalist with more than a decade of experience covering the biggest moments in world sport, and tennis has been at the heart of his work since he was a teenager. He has followed the professional game closely since the age of 13 — his earliest tennis memory is the marathon five-set 2009 Australian Open semifinal — and turned that fandom into a career, starting out at Tennis East Coast in 2012 before becoming a co-owner and contributing editor at its successor, Tennis Atlantic. He has reported on the sport at every level, from the elite ATP Tour to the grind of the ATP Challenger circuit, and his work has appeared at Last Word on Sports and Tennis View Magazine, including on-site coverage of marquee events such as Indian Wells, the Davis Cup and the Australian Open. Beyond the baseline his interests span football, cricket, rugby league, baseball and Formula 1, and he follows Barcelona, Monterrey Rayados, Atlético Nacional, the New York Mets and Florida State. He draws much of his inspiration from the competitive fire of Andy Murray and Lleyton Hewitt.
Areas of expertise
Tennis
ATP Tour
ATP Challenger Tour
Grand Slams
Football
Formula 1
Also published at Last Word on Sports, Tennis Atlantic, Tennis View Magazine
Follow on XLatest from Steen Kirby
What Is a Blitz in Football?
A blitz in football sends extra pass rushers at the quarterback. Learn the types, when defenses blitz, and the risks of leaving coverage short.
What Is a Tight End in Football?
A tight end in football is a hybrid of a blocker and a receiver. Learn where a tight end lines up, why they are eligible, and their role on offense.
MMA vs Boxing: Key Differences Explained
MMA vs boxing: boxing is punches only in a roped ring; MMA adds kicks, grappling, and submissions in a cage. Here are the key rule differences.
Soccer Positions Explained (Formations & Roles)
Soccer positions split 11 players into goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, and forwards. Here is each role and how formations like 4-4-2 work.
What Is a TKO in MMA? (And How It Differs From a KO)
A TKO in MMA is a technical knockout: a stoppage when a fighter can no longer defend, even if conscious. Here is how a TKO differs from a KO.
What Is a Hat-Trick in Soccer?
A hat-trick in soccer is when one player scores three goals in a single match. Here is what counts and what a perfect hat-trick is.
What Is a Let in Tennis?
A let in tennis means a point or serve is replayed with no penalty. Here is the serve let, the net-cord let, and when a point gets played again.
What Is Offside in Soccer? (The Rule Explained)
A player is offside if, when a teammate plays the ball, they are nearer the goal than both the ball and the second-last defender, and then join the play.
What Is an Ace in Tennis?
An ace in tennis is a legal serve the receiver never touches, winning the point outright. Here is exactly what counts as an ace and what does not.
NFL Positions Explained (Offense, Defense & Special Teams)
NFL positions split into offense, defense, and special teams, with 11 players per side. Here is what each role does, from quarterback to long snapper.
Tennis Scoring Explained (Love, 15, 30, 40, Deuce)
Tennis scoring goes love, 15, 30, 40, game, with deuce and advantage at 40-40. Here is how points, games, sets, matches, and tiebreaks fit together.