In gridiron football, holding is the illegal restraining of another player who is not in possession of the ball. Holding is banned in most football leagues because it does not allow fair play of the game and increases the risk for injury.
While in the field of play, offensive holding results in a 10-yard penalty, or half the distance to the goal line when there are fewer than 20 yards between the line of scrimmage and the offense's end zone. If the act of holding is committed from within the offense's own end zone, the result is a safety. It is one of the most common penalties in American football.
In the NFL, when holding is committed by the defense, the penalty is 5 yards and an automatic first down.
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NCAA
The following is quoted directly from the NCAA 2015 Rules and Interpretations document available online here.
Holding
Holding and Use of Hands or Arms: Offense
ARTICLE 3.
a. Use of Hands
b. Holding
c. Kicking Team
d. Passing Team
Holding and Use of Hands or Arms: Defense
ARTICLE 4.
a. Defensive players may use hands and arms to push, pull, ward off or lift offensive players:
b. A defensive player legally may use his hands or arms to ward off or block an opponent in an attempt to reach a loose ball (Rule 9-1-5, Exceptions 3 and 4 and Rule 9-3-6, Exceptions 3 and 5):
c. When making no attempt to get at the ball or the runner, defensive players must comply with Article 3, paragraphs a and b above. d. Defensive players may not use hands and arms to tackle, hold or otherwise illegally obstruct an opponent other than a runner. e. Defensive players may ward off or legally block an eligible pass receiver until that player occupies the same yard line as the defender or until the opponent could not possibly block him. Continuous contact is illegal (A.R. 9-3-5-I). PENALTY [c-e]--10 or 15 yards [S38, S42, S43 or S45].
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NFL
The following is quoted directly from the NFL 2015 OFFICIAL PLAYING RULES OF THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE document available online here.
Rule 8, Section 4, Article 6: DEFENSIVE HOLDING
It is defensive holding if a player grasps an eligible offensive player (or his jersey) with his hands, or extends an arm or arms to cut off or encircle him. See 12-1-6. Penalty: For holding by the defense: Loss of five yards and automatic first down. Note: Any offensive player who pretends to possess the ball, and/or one to whom a teammate pretends to give the ball, may be tackled until he crosses the line of scrimmage between the offensive tackles of a normal tight offensive line.
Rule 8, Section 4, Article 7: END OF RESTRICTIONS
If the quarterback or the receiver of the snap demonstrates no further intention to pass the ball (i.e., hands off or pitches the ball to another player, throws a forward or backward pass, loses possession of the ball by a muff that touches the ground or a fumble, or if he is tackled) the restrictions on the defensive team prohibiting illegal contact, or an illegal cut block, against an eligible receiver will end, and a defensive player is permitted to use his hands, arms, or body to push, pull, or ward off an offensive receiver, pursuant to Rule 12, Section 1, Article 5. If the quarterback leaves the pocket area with the ball in his possession, the restrictions on illegal contact and an illegal cut block both end, but the restriction on defensive holding remains in effect. If a team presents an apparent punting formation, defensive acts that normally constitute illegal contact (chuck beyond five yards, etc.) are permitted, provided that the acts do not constitute defensive holding.
Rule 12, Section 1, Article 3: ILLEGAL BLOCK BY OFFENSIVE PLAYER
It is a foul if an offensive blocker: (a) Thrusts his hands forward above the frame of an opponent to contact him on the head, neck, or face. Note: Contact in close-line play that is not direct and forcible is not a foul.
(b) Blocks an opponent (from behind) in the back above the opponent's waist, or uses his hands or arms to push an opponent from behind in a manner that affects his movement, except in close-line play. Note: The prohibition applies to a player of the kicking team while the ball is in flight during a scrimmage kick.
(c) 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:
Blocking Notes:
Rule 12, Section1, Article 6: DEFENSIVE HOLDING
It is a foul for defensive holding if: (a) a defensive player tackles or holds any opponent other than a runner, except as permitted in Article 5 (b) during a punt, field goal attempt, or Try-kick attempt, B1 grabs and pulls an offensive player out of the way, allowing B2 to shoot the gap (pull-and-shoot) in an attempt to block the kick, except if B1 is advancing toward the kicker Note: Any offensive player who pretends to possess the ball, and/or one to whom a teammate pretends to give the ball, may be tackled until he crosses the line of scrimmage between the tackles of a normal tight offensive line. Penalty: For defensive holding: Loss of five yards and an automatic first down.
Rule 12, Section1, Article 7: ILLEGAL USE OF HANDS BY DEFENSE
It is a foul if a defensive player thrusts his hands or arms forward above the frame of an opponent to contact him on the neck, face, or head. Note: Contact in close-line play that is not direct and forcible is not a foul. Penalty: For Illegal Use of Hands by the Defense: Loss of five yards and an automatic first down.
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