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Message: <blockquote data-quote="matskralc" data-source="post: 6972171" data-attributes="member: 6802405">I used to officiate high school football games. While there is a PHB/rulebook that tells me "this is what constitutes holding", there is also a DMG/case book/officiating mechanics manual/wisdom passed down from experienced officials that guides me on when and how to actually call and enforce a holding foul. If a player commits "textbook" holding when the ball is 40 yards away on the other side of the field, there is little point in calling it and nobody will have fun playing or watching a game in which that foul is always called. At the same time, it is an officiating failure to ignore a pulling guard who holds a linebacker at the point of attack and turns what would have been a two yard loss into an ill-gotten twenty yard gain. Nobody will have fun playing or watching a game in which that foul is constantly ignored.It is not the rulebook's fault that high level guards are able to hold more often and more effectively. It is the official's fault for not enforcing the rules and guidelines in order to guide the player's behavior. If I don't want guards to hold, I better call holding when I see it. It is not the guard's fault for doing it and it is not the rulebook's fault that it happens.It is not, and never will be, the PHB's or DMG's fault that DMs don't follow the guidelines. It is not the designers' fault that Celtavian hands out sentient spellcasting magic items like they're candy or that CapnZapp refuses to prep for a game or run his monsters with any tactical intelligence whatsoever. Choosing to do those things is well within "the rules", but they certainly run afoul of the guidelines that have been given on how to get the most out of this game.Celtavian, CapnZapp, and others are standing there watching pulling guards hold linebackers at the point of attack. They're doing so with their arms crossed while screaming that the designers of football really ought to do something about this, all the while ignoring the little yellow hankies tucked into their belts and the discussion that was had at the officiating meeting earlier that week.You don't get to go out to run a football game and complain that a rugby game broke out after you actively refused to follow the guidelines and enforce the rules as appropriate.</blockquote>

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