holding the ball
Keeping it too long
Holding the ball is an infraction in Australian rules football called when a player fails to dispose of the ball legally—by kick or handball—when tackled.
The rule prevents players from simply clutching the ball and going to ground.
The penalty is a free kick to the opposing team.
The phrase sometimes extends to any situation where someone delays action when they should act: Stop holding the ball and make a decision.
- free kickUnobstructed restart after foul
- catchSeize or snag
- fair catchUncontested punt fielding
- possessionState of owning
- gripSecure manual hold
turnover · shot clock · running out the clock · carry · accountability · stalling · delay of game · hesitation · responsibility · hot potato · time-wasting · rugby · penalty · gridiron · play · juggle · dribbling · infraction
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