what does 'hold up ball' mean?

and somebody please tell me?

i know i sound a bit dumb but i actually don't know what it means :(

If you set it for a striker he will hold onto it and then pass it to a player coming to support him; instead of turning and running at goal and most likely being tackled. (it's best for big Emile Heskey type players or lone strikers)

think it means keep the ball and wait foor more players to get forward- but not sure!!!

Keeps the ball and shields it so other players can get forward and support the attack, kind of like what Emile Heskey does for Wigan!

As everyone else said just to keep the ball and shield it from opposing players until supporting players arrive so he can pass to them.

Means exactly what it says: Hold up the ball.

Like the others have already said, Target Men like Heskey receive the ball and hold onto it, shielding it from opponents until attackers are in position to receive a through ball etc...

Off the top of my head....

Think Dimitar Berbatov, Teddy Sheringham, Eric Cantona (sort of), Emile Heskey, Julio Cruz, Francesco Totti (in recent years), Didier Drogba (although he's a bit more of an all-round striker).

Arsenal could do with a player of this type. Adebayor is often wrongly described as this sort of player, simply because he is tall.

Just means keeping the ball for a while before attempting to play it. I make my DM do it!

Tip: this instruction works extremely well with any player with PPM 'plays with back to goal'.

Off the top of my head....

Think Dimitar Berbatov, Teddy Sheringham, Eric Cantona (sort of), Emile Heskey, Julio Cruz, Francesco Totti (in recent years), Didier Drogba (although he's a bit more of an all-round striker).

Arsenal could do with a player of this type. Adebayor is often wrongly described as this sort of player, simply because he is tall.

I would say out of the ones you mention Berbatov and Heskey are the best examples. Drogba played this kind of role when he came to Chelsea, but not so much the last few seasons.

Bendtner could be like that for Arsenal, but it doesn't suit their style of play really.

also it means if you pick a ball up and hold it above your head, it might be said you are "holding up a ball". Its easy these footballing terms.

This made me laugh as I imagined it in my head and it seemed funny. I sound like a maniac now but oh well.

Keeps the ball and shields it so other players can get forward and support the attack, kind of like what Emile Heskey does for Wigan!

In that case it would involve never scoring a goal and always falling over!

What are the best attributes to look for in a holding player?

It would have to be strength, first touch in my opinion to look at first. As well as PPM plays with back to goal

Back To Goal PPM, Strength, First Touch, Balance, Jumping, Heading, Passing for through balls.

also it means if you pick a ball up and hold it above your head, it might be said you are "holding up a ball". Its easy these footballing terms.

lol this is true

Technique will be useful to retain possession.

Hold up ball is like the PPM "stops play" . The player stop up and place hes foot on the ball..aka slows tempo down.

John Carew combination of Hold up ball and Target man (play to head or mixed). Full stop.

Off the top of my head....

Think Dimitar Berbatov, Teddy Sheringham, Eric Cantona (sort of), Emile Heskey, Julio Cruz, Francesco Totti (in recent years), Didier Drogba (although he's a bit more of an all-round striker).

Arsenal could do with a player of this type. Adebayor is often wrongly described as this sort of player, simply because he is tall.

he holds the ball up and he dribbles so it's not wrong to say he holds it up, he plays with his back to goal alot unless he comes deep to get it