Question Number: 15132

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/6/2007

RE: rec through competitive

Steve of Stockton, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 15100

I would guess that "boxing" was probably a reference to the basketball maneuver known as 'boxing out', wherein players try to prevent opponents from gaining advantageous position under the basket while all are attempting to grab a rebound.

If that's the case, the referee could have done any of three things, depending on the specific circumstances: Do nothing, if the ball is in playing distance of the player doing the 'boxing' (which, in football terms would simply be 'shielding'); blow the whistle for impeding the progress (IFK) if the ball is not in playing distance but the offending player makes no contact with the opponent; or blow the whistle for holding (DFK) if the ball is not within playing distance and the offending player makes contact with the opponent.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

For the most part, I agree with you. If the ball is within playing distance, then it cannot be impeding. Now, if the ball is within playing distance and their is contact, then the referee has to evaluate if the contact was trifiling or not and who the instigator was. If the ball is not within playing distance, then we have at least impeding here or possible a dfk for holding/charging.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Just for the record... I was the master of boxing out when I played varsity basketball in HS. I just haven't heard this term used for soccer before.

In any case, that question was not specific enough to give a better answer.