Defensive Holding (CB on WR)

[onlylabs]

Likely another case of this rule being different for different levels but want to clarify what it is in HS. Was at a Div II NCAA Playoff game this weekend. Passing play 4th & 9 on 22yard line going in for offense. QB was hit while delivering the pass and ball basically went straight up and fell to the ground. There was a defensive penalty called (holding on DB). Referee announced holding on defense #32 but since the ball did not cross the LOS it is a 4 yard penalty and no automatic first down. So replayed the down 4th and 4. Then yesterday watching NFL games passing play where QB was sacked on 3rd and 12 (so ball never crossed LOS) and holding called on DB which resulted in 5 yard penalty and automatic 1st down. What is HS call here?? Thanks

 

[White hat]

Hmmm. I have no idea what that NCAA enforcement was about.

NFL enforcements are their own animal and very different from NCAA or NFHS. The rules in the NFL are so different it's almost a different game.

Defensive holding in high school is 10 yards, no automatic first down. If the holding occurs before a pass is thrown, it will be 10 yards from the previous spot (line of scrimmage). If no pass is thrown it's 10 yards from the end of the run.