Question Number: 15592

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/24/2007

RE: Competitive Under 16

tmoto of Loveland, OH USA asks...

I'm sure you've noticed the inevitable contact when a player is shielding a ball about to go over the goal line. Quite often it's a defender who receives a nice shove in the back and normally it's a goal kick.

If a defender grew weary of this, and at the last minute lowered his hips so that the oncoming striker ended up flipping over the defender who is within playing distance of the ball and shielding, what would you call, if anything? Again, striker is initiating all contact and the defender is simply getting lower in their shielding.

Thanks.. love the site.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

I think I would have to be there to see it. But the way you describe it makes me think of something similar to what we unofficially call "under cutting" even though no one is in the air. It acts as a form of tripping, or holding depending on how you view it. That would result in a direct free kick to the attacker.

The thing a defender must remember is when they shield the ball legally, the opponent is now allowed to charge them fairly from behind, so long as the charge is not directed at the spine, nor can it be dangerous to the defender, nor can it be done with too much force.

If the defender is this afraid of contact, they had probably thing twice before shielding the ball out of play - then again, they may want to rethink playing this sport all together.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

When I see the attacker cause this kind of contact, I blow my whistle to avoid the defender doing what you describe.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

It is called preventive refereeing. Do exactly what Mr. Contarino states and it wont happen. You would have a real hard time selling a PK call here.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

What you speak of is U-16 players trying to emulate professionals they watch on the television. What is seen there is two players who accept what they are doing as "Fair Play". The referee seeing they accept each other's action just monitors the action in case one or the other gets his fill of it and escalates things. The corrective action is usually words to the ADULT players. This usually satisfies both and lets them know the referee is close to getting involved. Referee involvement is usually something a defender doesn't want, especially if what is happening is in the penalty area. They are able to adjust.

15 year-old boys simply don't adjust to anything so getting involved early and often is advised.

Before the 1997 rewrite of the Laws of the Game this was written as International FA Board Decision (5) of Law XII:

If a player covers up the ball without touching it in an endeavour not to have it played by an opponent, he obstructs but does not infringe Law XII par. 3 because he is already in possession of the ball and covers it for tactical reasons whilst the ball remains within playing distance. In fact, he is actually playing the ball and does not commit an infringement; in this case, the player may be charged because he is in fact playing the ball.

Regards,

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

See Question: 18110