5yards

Defensive holding

A defender grabs before the throw. Often a first down.

What you see. Before the throw, a defender grabs a receiver and does not let go. The ball is still in the quarterback's hands.
Typical result. 5 yards. It is often an automatic first down.
Easy mix-up. Illegal contact is continued contact downfield before the throw. If the ball is in the air, that is pass interference. Offensive holding is 10 yards.
On the field. Defenders in coverage. See defense positions and the plays.

The grab happens before the throw.

Yardage is from the 2026 NFL distance lists. Hand signals live in the official signals PDF. Independent fan guide, not a league ruling.