Question Number: 29725

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/20/2015

RE: High School

Dave Jones of Johnstown, Pa USA asks...

On a corner kick or a DFK in the attacking 1/3, two red players take up positions directly in front and back of the blue GK.

After taking their positions and upon kick of the restart, neither red players move to play the ball. The GK is 'sandwiched' between the players. Is this obstruction?

Similarly, same situation, but upon the kick for the restart both the red players and Blue GK move toward the ball. The GK pleads that the red players impeded his progress to the ball. Is this obstruction?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Dave
In NFHS Rules *obstruction* is the deliberate act by a player, not in possession of the ball and/or not attempting to play the ball, of running between an opponent and the ball or using the body as an obstacle. So the decision rests on what the players do or dont do. If they simply stand there then the goalkeeper has the freedom to move past them. That is not an obstruction foul. If however the players also move just to block that movement then that is the offence of obstruction punished by an indirect free kick.
On your second scenario the forward is also entitled to move towards the ball and as long as he does make a genuine attempt to only play the ball there is no offence. Some players can disguise the attempt to play the ball and obstruction. They can decide that after moving to play the ball that they then decide to ignore the ball and obstruct the opponent.

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

Dave,
I completely agree with Referee McHugh. In the second situation, the goalkeeper can challenge a red player from behind if the challenge is not violent or dangerous and the ball is within playing distance. Please check out Rule 12-5, Articles 1 and 2 on page 54 of the NFHS Rules book.

I hope that your season is going well.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 29730