Holding
Holding is an important term in sports officiating that refers to a type of rule violation where one player illegally restrains another player. While it appears most commonly in football and hockey officiating, it can also be relevant in other sports. Officials need to be able to recognize, judge, and properly call holding penalties, as these can significantly impact game play and safety. This skill requires good positioning, clear vision of the play, and quick decision-making ability.
Examples in Resumes
Accurately identified and called Holding penalties in over 200 high school football games
Trained junior officials in recognizing Holding violations across different game situations
Developed training materials explaining Holding rules and proper enforcement procedures
Typical job title: "Sports Officials"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Sports Officials
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you handle controversial holding calls in high-pressure situations?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate leadership, confidence in decision-making, and ability to manage player/coach reactions while maintaining game control and explaining their calls clearly.
Q: How would you mentor new officials in recognizing and calling holding penalties?
Expected Answer: Should show teaching ability, breaking down complex situations into learnable components, and experience in developing other officials' skills.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are the key differences between incidental contact and holding?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the distinction between legal and illegal contact, using clear examples from game situations.
Q: How do you maintain proper positioning to spot holding violations?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of proper mechanics, positioning, and movement patterns to effectively observe and call violations.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic elements of a holding violation?
Expected Answer: Should be able to describe the fundamental aspects of illegal holding and explain when it should be called.
Q: How do you signal a holding penalty?
Expected Answer: Should know the proper hand signals and mechanics for indicating a holding violation and communicating with other officials.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic rule knowledge
- Proper signal mechanics
- Basic positioning
- Communication with crew members
Mid (2-5 years)
- Consistent call judgment
- Game management skills
- Advanced positioning
- Handling coach/player interactions
Senior (5+ years)
- Mentoring other officials
- Complex situation management
- Crew leadership
- High-pressure game experience
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to explain basic rules clearly
- Poor physical conditioning or mobility
- Lack of game management experience
- Poor communication skills
- No formal training or certification
