Question Number: 30328

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/20/2016

RE: Competive High School

Rick of Portage, MI USA asks...

Was doing a game the other day where a player was blocking off another player as the ball rolled out of bounds. I'm sure we've all seen this a million times. A coach was yelling for an obstruction call. I've called obstruction on a few occasions; a basketball style pick play to take out a defender, but not very often. Any insight on when shielding becomes obstruction? I don't feel like this last game warranted a call and I would make the same one going forward, but your thoughts on the difference would be appreciated.

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

Rick,
as indicated in the NFHS Rules Book, Rule 12-5-1, Obstruction is the deliberate act by a player, not in possession of the ball or attempting to play the ball, of running between an opponent and the ball or using the body as an obstacle.. In addition, Rule 12-5-2 states that a player not attempting to play the ball, but remaining between the ball and an opponent may be legally challenged from behind provided the challenge is not violent or dangerous and the ball is within playing distance. I believe that playing distance is the key. If the ball is within playing distance (defined in 18-1-dd as the distance between the player and the ball which the official judges to be adequate to control the ball. It will seldom exceed two steps or six feet) unless the player is using the arms to keep the player away from the ball, I probably would not call obstruction. However, if the ball is beyond playing distance, I recommend that obstruction be called. Hopefully, this will help you and that you have a successful spring season.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rick
Referee Manjone has quoted the relevant rules. The key is playing distance to the ball by the defender while the ball is in play. We know ttere can be a fine line between legal shielding and obstruction. In recent years these type of contact have not been called by referees and as you say we see it millions of times. The difficulty is as speed the ball can be out of play before any obstruction so we give the benefit to the defending player as legal shielding. So it is a judgement call and from your question I believe you made the correct call. I would only call the blatant obstruction, the ones that there is little doubt or debate about, where there is every likelihood that the opponent most definitely will get the ball before it leaves the FOP had he not been fouled.

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