noun
holding
Illegal restraint of an opponent in a sport.
The referee calls holding after the defender grabs his opponent.
Etymology
The action noun comes directly from hold, to keep someone in place. Sporting rules use it for physical restraint that improperly prevents an opponent’s movement.
More examples
- A holding penalty moved the team backward.
- He was warned about holding during the match.
- The replay showed clear holding near the line.
Forms
holding