Question Number: 27040

Law 13 - Free Kicks 11/27/2012

RE: Under 19

Dave of Des Moines, IA US asks...

This question is a follow up to question 27032

Nothing like this scenario has ever come up but I have always wondered about it.
Lets say on a free-kick, just outside the PA, 8 or 9 attacking players surround the keeper (standing perfectly still) so that the cannot escape this 'huddle'.
Perhaps this would be an unwise tactical move but would you do anything as a ref to stop this since players are entitled to their space on the field?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Dave
The moment the goalkeeper goes to move then he will be impeded by an opponent which is an offence and an IDFK restart. if there is contact it is deemed to be holding so it is direct free kick.
Here is an attempt at a related ruse which was poorly handled by the referee. He is initially concerned about the opponents not being 10 yards from the ball which was the least of his concern. The moment the ball was played he should have called an IDFK against Blue for impeding and that would have ended the situation. Instead he had to caution two Orange players and it could have ended up as VC. He ends up getting it right but it took two minutes to get there. Also it is not shielding as any one of the players can be called for holding off an opponent with his arms or body
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcLYjp2wOi

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Also,offside applies at free kicks. The defending team seeing what the kicking team is doing simply have to move their defending player towards the ball thus putting all the attackers surrounding the keeper in an offside position. When the kick is taken they will all be interfering with an opponent and an IDFK would be awarded