Question Number: 30081

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/5/2016

RE: Intermediate Under 13

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 30080

I have a question regarding what referee Joe McHugh said. If a defender has the ball & an attacker is running to challenge him/her, why can't another defender step in between IF the ball is within playing distance of the 2nd defender.

Also, suppose that a defender is lawfully shielding the ball near the touch line & another defender comes to play the ball. Is the person who was shielding & continues to block the attacker (still within playing distance of the ball) now committing a foul?

I had thought that as long as you were within playing distance of the ball (regardless of your intent to play the ball), you're 'blocking' was considered shielding. Otherwise, a referee has to decide what the defender's 'intent' was.

Thanks again,

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
Two players cannot shield the ball at the same time. One is either shielding the ball legally or he is blocking which is illegal.
Let me give you this example. I recall a recent game where a team was leading and it wanted to run down the clock on a short corner. When the ball was played short one of the attackers moved away from his team mate who had also turned to shield the ball. While the second attacker was close to the ball I immediately called a blocking / holding foul on him as his effort was to block the opponent getting to the shielding player not to shield the ball. The team mate was the player shielding the ball. In your own example you answered the question in a similar way. One of the players in now engaged in blocking as distinct from shielding. The timing of the contact is also important. The referee can decide that there was legal shielding at a time and as the ball moves away that it then can be no longer shielding. Case in point is the ball going back to the goalkeeper or over the goal line. Once the ball goes to the GK or over the line it more than likely is then outside playing distance yet as the ball is with the keeper the shielding has ended with no challenge possible or the is out of play.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Phil,
hmm you sure you are not thinking hockey and the mighty ducks flying v where they surround the puck carrier as they move to goal?

I have had a half dozen players try to surround their team mate with the ball in a corner claiming their right to stand on the FOP gave them a right to be there blocking the opposition from challenging . That did work out well for them by the way.

There will times when the timing sequence ball movement and surrounding players are seeking to challenge prior to it exiting the FOP or for one player to achieve possession and control of the ball.

We often see a defender shielding the ball, blocking an opponent to allow the keeper to get it with his hands or for the ball to go out of play. By definition once a keeper has ball possession via hands that ball is unchallengeable just as a ball is unplayable once outside the FOP. I have seen some hefty allowances for distance and even backing up into the following opponent remain uncalled in these situations.

I had a unusual situation on a throw in where the green team decided to heave a long ball back towards their keeper that was pursued by an opponent. A green defender cut in front of the opponent following the ball close enough to be playing distance expecting his keeper to pick the ball up except the restriction of his hands was in effect. The attacker being blocked was screaming he can't pick it up he can't pick it up as the keeper was likely about to do just that . So instead he allows the ball to roll up under his knee straightens up and proceeds to dribble it away to the touch line. I awarded an INDFK for impeding because the defender shifted to block the run by the attacker in pursuing the keeper. Keeper was upset claiming he never used his hands . Sigh Sometimes I just wonder what players are thinking at times!

My personal pet peeves are
-From the ball carrier doing the shielding, arms spread wide, backing up into opponents to separate distance from the ball
-From the following opponent, arms over shoulder pulling the ball carrier as they try to slide by to get to the ball

It is not always easy to distinguish a player on the FOP standing his ground to a deliberate pick or a block but situational awareness, remaining focused and following the bouncing ball sometimes makes it easier. Sharp ARs looking in can see the side step into the path of pursuit as well.

Cheers