Question Number: 31000

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/6/2016

RE: competetive Under 17

Richard of Frostburg, MD USA asks...

I often see defenders going back and forth in front of an opposing player as the ball is rolling toward the goal line or touch line. Since the defender is not making a play with the ball- just trying to keep the other player from getting it, why is this not obstruction ? Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Richard ,
well in fact shielding the ball is a form of legal obstruction. The idea the ball is within playing distance, that is about 2 steps away at the speed necessary to get to the ball. You get the, Eddy the eagle arm flap, from the player who is doing the shielding, with a butt thrust and pivot or a backwards walk to hold off the following player who tries to grab or push to get around. Technically both players are fouling the other, if only in a trifling sense, but they usually seem to accept a certain amount of push or pull. The following or trail player can shoulder charge the shielding player off that ball but often finds it tough to get that angle to make a legal charge.

I do not like when the ball is slowly exiting, the front player actually backs into the opponent with widespread arms and moves away from the ball trying to delay the following player space and time to get to it. I have called holding in these cases rather then a throw in or a goal kick .
Reversely all too often the front player takes a shot in the back as a push and then loses control of the ball because he stumbles forward and miss kicks it. I will award a free kick for pushing rather than award the throw in or corner .

The opinion of the referee in each match with his take on the player's acceptance of a certain amount of jostling plays a key role in the decisions made! Perhaps referees find it difficult to pull the whistle, and the players accept the non call as fair after seeing how often this hold/push action continues unsanctioned at the top levels?
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Richard,
The simple answer is that this is allowed because the Laws specifically say that it is.

Page 84, LotG 2016-17 pdf edition states:

''A player may shield the ball by taking a position between an opponent and the ball if the ball is within playing distance and the opponent is not held off with the arms or body. If the ball is within playing distance, the player may be fairly charged by an opponent.''

Having said that, I agree with everything ref Dawson has said about this in his post. Far too often (IMHO) the defender does actually hold off the opponent with the arms or body and I think that fouls should be called more often in these situations than they usually are.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Richard
Whether we like it or not there are many infractions in the game that are not called as they should be. Examples include taking throw ins from the wrong place, raised arm holdings at corners, running in front of free kicks, 6 second rule etc. The illegal shielding of the ball that is destined to go out of play is another one. Rarely do referees call this as an offence and many times players et all seem to accept it. Whether it is because there is a question mark over playing distance to the ball or because referees do not want to call the penalty kick or that the opponent had no hope if getting to the ball anyway it is an offence that rarely gets called. Perhaps referees do not want to be the outlier by calling it much in the same way has holding at corners and free kicks which has become epidemic. I am now beginning to see actions being taken in the Premier League on this by all referees which is helpful.