Holding

In American Football, holding is an illegal use of the hands to obstruct the forward movement of an opposing player who is not in possession of the ball.

In the NFL, offensive holding is a serious infraction, resulting in a 10-yard penalty, whereas the lesser offense of defensive holding results in a 5-yard penalty.

Hold"ing, n.

1.

The act or state of sustaining, grasping, or retaining.

2.

A tenure; a farm or other estate held of another.

3.

That which holds, binds, or influences.

Burke.

4.

The burden or chorus of a song.

Shak.

Holding note Mus., a note sustained in one part, while the other parts move.

© Webster 1913.