Offensive Holding | NFL Football Operations (2024)

Rule 12 Section 1 Article 3

NFL Video Rulebook

Rule 12 Section 1 Article 3

Rule Summary View Official Rule

Use his hands or arms to materially restrict an opponent or alter the defender’s path or angle of pursuit. It is a foul regardless of whether the blocker’s hands are inside or outside the frame of the defender’s body. Material restrictions include but are not limited to:

grabbing or tackling an opponent;
hooking, jerking, twisting, or turning him; or
pulling him to the ground.

Additional Rules

Play Clock

Rule 4 Section 6

Scoring Plays

Rule 11 Sections 1-5

Safety

Rule 11 Section 5

Forward Pass

Rule 8 Section 1

Backward Pass

Rule 8 Section 7

Ineligible Receiver

Rule 8 Section 1 Article 6

Fumbling in the End Zone

Rule 8 Section 7 Article 3

Down by Contact

Rule 7 Section 2 Article 1

Use of the Helmet

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 10

Roughing the Passer

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 11

Completing a Catch

Rule 8 Section 1 Articles 3-4

Non-Football Act Fouls

Rule 12 Section 3

Facemask

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 15

Fair Catch

Rule 10 Section 2

Clipping

Rule 3 Section 6

Illegal Formation

Rule 7 Section 5 Article 1

Illegal Motion

Rule 7 Section 4 Article 8

Illegal Shift

Rule 7 Section 4 Article 7

Defensive Pass Interference

Rule 8 Section 5

Offensive Pass Interference

Rule 8 Section 5

Illegal Contact

Rule 8 Section 4 Articles 1-4

Defensive Holding

Rule 12 Section 1 Article 6

Horse Collar

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 16

Chop Block

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 5

Low Block

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 4

Illegal Use of Hands / Facemask

Rule 12 Section 1 Article 3

Pre-Snap Fouls

Rule 3 Section 4 Article 2

Neutral Zone Infraction

Rule 7 Section 4 Article 4

Illegal Block Above the Waist

Rule 12 Section 1 Article 3

Defenseless Player

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 9

Illegal Peel Back Block

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 2

Roughing or Running Into the Kicker

Rule 12 Section 2 Article 12

Intentional Grounding

Rule 8 Section 2

Back to Top

NFL Football Operations’ mission is to establish a culture of clarity, consistency and credibility in all aspects of the greatest game. Football is an essential piece of America’s fabric, uniting fans, players and communities with a simple yet powerful bond. We honor the game’s history while continuing to innovate and preserve the sport for future generations of fans, players, coaches, teams and officials.

Español