Im confused about this football play?

Question

why isnt it defensive holding when they tackle the running back thinking he has the ball on a play-action pass?

Answer 1

If the QB hasn't thrown the ball and the RB isn't 5 yards downfield, it is a block. As long as they get him from the front it should be OK, not a clip.

But I can see the difference with him being wrapped and taken down. By that logic a DB should be able to immediately tackle a WR once the ball is snapped.

Not sure what the difference between a block and a face-to-face tackle is to be honest. That is a good question.

Answer 2

because its a fake to the rb and thats what the offense wants the defense to think so they can get a open play down field

Answer 3

It's just an unwritten rule that's not applied to those type's of plays.

The defense doen't know if the running back has the ball or not.

So they have to tackle the RB just in case he does.

Answer 4

TJ,

Defensive holding - a player grasps a player on offense while attempting to ward off a block or cover a receiver. Referee signal: one forearm vertically held in front of the body with a closed fist facing the referee's chest; the other hand grasping the first arm's wrist.

This doesn't fall into this category.

I hope this helps.

Enjoy!

Answer 5

That's one of them there football rules, it's designed to take out or distract the DFNS.

Answer 6

Defensive holding is when a player like a D-Lineman holds a O-lineman to let a Linebacker get through a gap

Answer 7

i dont know the true answer, but i believe it kinda goes like this:

if youre trying to block, any man on defesne has all the right to shove you hard enough so you fall over.  even if the runningback did have the ball, the defense could down you even without using good form to tackle you.

but also, the runningback can do just the same, they can push any guy on defense over as they want

and, maybe sometimes guys on D are so stupid they really do think the rb has the ball, and if they do why not try to tackle them, thats thier job

im not sure if thats right, but thats pretty much how i think it goes