Football What would happen if defensive holding was just a five-yard penalty (no first down)?

**Rain Man** · 11-22-2018, 08:29 PM

I've been thinking about the problem in the NFL of not allowing defense, and we've talked about the problems with pass interference. But I think the bigger problem may be defensive holding. Pass interference at least happens near the ball, but as we've all seen, a defensive holding call could occur completely away from the action, and it's a major penalty since it carries a first down. Also, defensive holding has up to five chances of occurring depending on the number of receivers out in routes.

It's a really important penalty call since it carries a first down, even though I'm not convinced that it affects a majority of the plays where it's called.

So tell me your opinion. What if defensive holding was simply treated like an offsides penalty? The play culminates, and the offense can take the result of the play or five yards, which may or may not result in a first down (just like offsides). What's the down side of doing this?

View Poll Results: The penalty for defensive holding should be...
5 yards and a first down	11	31.43%
5 yards	21	60.00%
Something else, which I'll explain below.	2	5.71%
Defensive holding shouldn't be illegal. I enjoy a good defensive hold.	1	2.86%
Voters: 35. You may not vote on this poll

11-22-2018, 08:29 PM	Topic Starter
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-452449 VARSITY	What would happen if defensive holding was just a five-yard penalty (no first down)? I've been thinking about the problem in the NFL of not allowing defense, and we've talked about the problems with pass interference. But I think the bigger problem may be defensive holding. Pass interference at least happens near the ball, but as we've all seen, a defensive holding call could occur completely away from the action, and it's a major penalty since it carries a first down. Also, defensive holding has up to five chances of occurring depending on the number of receivers out in routes. It's a really important penalty call since it carries a first down, even though I'm not convinced that it affects a majority of the plays where it's called. So tell me your opinion. What if defensive holding was simply treated like an offsides penalty? The play culminates, and the offense can take the result of the play or five yards, which may or may not result in a first down (just like offsides). What's the down side of doing this?
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