Question Number: 30073

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/3/2016

RE: Club Under 13

Derek of Cary, IL USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 30069

Referee Dawson brings up a point that I am unsure about. Does holding require contact?

I had a play once where the attacker passed the ball ahead of a teammate. A defender gets in front of said teammate, away from the ball and slows down, causing the teammate to slow down with him. Another defender collects the ball. No contact, beyond doubtful and trifling, was made.

I called impeding on the field because of this. When I asked about this incident a few months ago, all the answers led me to believe that holding would have been a better call. I wouldn't be doubting myself if it wasn't for the fact that I denied a goal on the resulting IFK.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Derek,
YES holding requires contact. I can grab your shirt or PULL you by draping my arm over your shoulder or spread my arms and prevent you from passing me by pushing back on your chest all are holds, all are DFKs. Impeding has no noticeable holding, only blocking angle of runs that prevent an opponent from getting past. Running at a slower speed in a straight line as long as you do not stop and back up or spread out the arms to hold the opponent from getting by might not even be impeding. If you think the opponent stops or halts his progress to avoid a collision that the defender is trying to make happen think INDFK instead of DFK. If there is noticeable contact think DFK. In some ways impeding is like judging PIADM in that the action does not contact the opponent but affects his ability to be involved in effective play.

Do not worry too much about awarding DFK or INDFK if you have faith there was marginal contact just be sure you CLEARLY signal the free kick as INDFK so the teams understand what is occurring. Just raise the arm and verbally state it so no one need be caught out.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Derek
Yes holding requires contact. If there is no contact it can only be impeding and as I said in my previous answer most impeding ends up in contact and a penal foul.
Now as described if a player slows down and the opponent slows down with no contact it is unlikely to be a foul. The opponent could have simply given up on the chase. Now if the defender steps across preventing the opponent getting to the ball which is beyond playing distance, with contact that will be holding.
Generally the game allows a good deal of latitude in what can be seen as shielding. Many times you will see defender shield the ball at a distance and it is rarely called unless obviously blatant.

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

See Question: 30080