A player is holding the ball if he retains posession when firmly held by an opponent. A player who lies on or over the ball is in posession. A mark is awarded when a player catches and holds the ball directly from the kick of another player at least 10 metres away. A mark is also awarded if the ball strikes an official but is caught by another player before it touches the ground. The player who made the mark is allowed an unhindered kick from anywhere behind where he marked. Only one opponent is allowed to stand at a mark and no other player is allowed within a 10 metre semi-circle behind the mark. If an opponent "crosses the mark" when a player successfully kicks for goal, the goal is awarded; if no goal is scored the player may make another kick.