Question Number: 29521

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 7/3/2015

RE: Intermediate Under 13

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 29516

The video mentioned in this question (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7bDmG7ma44M), sort of shows what I was asking in 29540 (just asked, so not yet answered).

At the initial blocking (except, of course, you're not supposed to use arms...but this is always done at the pro level), the ball is within playing distance of both the attacker & defender. Contact actually occurs while the ball is not within playing distance & there's no attempt to play the ball. Why wouldn't this be holding, rather than impeding?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
The foul here is holding as there is contact. Impeding only happens when there is no contact and it is indeed a rare foul.
If you look closely at this the defender moves into the path of the attacker. When contact happens the ball is some three to four yards away from both players and is not within playing distance. The defender has placed his body in such a way as to hold the player back from getting to the ball which is a foul.
Had the defender moved after the ball and placed himself between the ball and the Attacker thrn that would be shielding. That happens quite regularly when the ball is shielded out over the goal line. Many referees give a great deal of latitude in the interpretation if playing distance in those situations.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Phil,
impeding is intervention into the run path causing the opponent to cease or alter their path and momentum in their pursuit of the ball. PIADM is another infringement that requires no contact. In both of these types of no contact fouls the trifling or marginal contact aspect seems to outweigh reaching up to a hard contact foul. Your observation '(of course, you're not supposed to use arms...but this is always done at the pro level)' maybe why these calls are considered as marginal to upgrade to a hard foul DFK with greater consequences. There is some pushing going on as well as opposed to holding both ways which again can confuse maters
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Phil,
When the defender actually runs into the attacker to block his path, this becomes a direct free kick foul (charging, if it's body only).
The arm is held far out to the side and is committing the offence of holding (being held across the body of the opponent it is slowing him down, but physical contact is made here, initiated by the defender).