Question Number: 21870

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/1/2009

RE: Competitive High School

Jay of walpole, Massachusetts USA asks...

Is it a foul for a player to shield a ball from an opponent (ball is within playing distance but without ever touching the ball) then have a teamate come in and dribble the ball away. This was recently called as impeding by a referee in a high school game.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Shielding is allowed. The ball must be within playing distance although the referee decides how far is 'within playing distance.'
The player must use the body (not the arms). There is no requirement that the defender 'intend' to play the ball. Shielding can become a foul, however, when the defender tries to actively block the opponent away from the ball, rather than use his body to shield the ball.

On this foul, high school (NFHS) rules are the same as the laws of the game, except that high school still uses the old name for the foul, 'obstruction,' and not 'impeding.'

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If the ball is within playing distance a player may shield it provided he doesn't use his arms to hold the opponent. It's fine for a teammate then come get the ball.

If the ball is not in playable distance the player is guilty of obstruction according to NFHS

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

As long as the player doing the shielding can legally play the ball and is within playing distance there is no justification to find fault. If the ball is too far away shielding could lead to impeding and of course pushing or holding dfk fouls against either the attacker or the defender are always possible. Just as a clarification, *playing distance* while an arbitrary opinion, it is taught to be two steps at the current pace of play! In that hovering over the ball at say 2 yards to a full out sprint at say 6 yards!
Cheers