One rule, a century of chaos: Why we still can’t define holding the ball

May 14, 2026 — 9:47am

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Having two teenage daughters, the sounds of Harry Styles, Olivia Dean and even a little Taylor Swift have too often been coming out of the speakers at home.

Last week, I turned back the clock; a bit of Pearl Jam. When Eddie Vedder belted out my favourite line in Corduroy – “Everything has changed, absolutely nothin’s changed” – my mind went instantly to … the holding the ball rule. Sad, I know.

On May 31, 1927 the following words appeared in the Launceston Examiner in an article about umpiring and, more specifically, holding the ball. The rule was being explained by “well known” Adelaide umpire, Mr JJ Quinn.

“The greatest difference of opinion about the rule is the length of time for which a player may retain possession when held. The reply is that he should give him sufficient time to relinquish possession or to break away from the grasp.”

A century later, the problem remains the same. It’s the prior opportunity part of the rule. So much of football is subjective and grey. This is not. If you took away prior opportunity, you would solve holding the ball. Would the game be the better? I’m not so sure.

Over the years, we’ve more clearly defined the mechanics behind holding the ball. We’ve shortened the allowable time, but the........

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