Question Number: 15988

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 7/10/2007

RE: competitive and high school High School

Annete Gendron of Madison, Wisconsin USA asks...

What are the rules for field players on following the keeper around on corner kicks before the ball is kicked?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Players may move where ever they wish while the ball is not in play, as long as they don't push and shove their way into a spot already taken by someone else. It would be misconduct, not a foul, as the ball is out of play.

Once the kick is taken, a player who moves into an opponent's path is guilty of impeding the progress of an opponent, formerly known as obstruction. The restart would be an indirect free kick. If there is contact, the offense would be holding or pushing, with a direct free kick.

Referees would be wise to tell players milling about before the kick to knock it off before it escalates into pushing and shoving.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

All actions taken before the corner kick cannot be deemed as fouls, but only misconduct. The smart referee will hold up the kick and warn the attacker (if they are doing something that might cause an infringement) that they should cease this action, this would be to prevent a problem. IF the problem occurs again or doesn't start until the ball is in play the referee should wait until the ball is kicked, at which time he must blow the whistle and stop play... See below for a little more on when to do this.

Any player is entitled to a position not occupied by another player on the field of play at any time. However, if that player engages in foul play while the ball is in play they must be punished for the infringement.

If the team taking the corner has properly positioned an attacker where they might receive the cross ball in order to head it into the goal then there is no problem. However, if the player is only acting to distract or otherwise impede the progress of the goalkeeper unfairly (e.g. jumping about in front of the goalkeeper to block his vision, moving between the goalkeeper's path at all times to prevent the goalkeeper's advance) than this player must be punished for impeding the progress of an opponent. (Indirect Free Kick to opponents)

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

My colleagues have answered well. All I will add is that the referee can talk to the players before the ball is struck to prevent a possible foul. If playes are warned and continue to push/shove, then the probably deserve a caution for persistant infringement. Referees also need to be aware of common player tactics such as stepping on the keepers feet.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Annete,
while we can debate if each player is entitled to the ground upon which they stand, the act of impeding once a ball is in play can be JUST as frustrating to a keeper while the ball is OUT of play and in my opinion still illegal!

The fundamental difference for impeding when the ball is out of play is it can at best be considered as MISCONDUCT (blocking) since no foul occurs unless the ball is in play. If ANY action is taken by the referee to dissuade it can be a simple warning to an actual CAUTION show a yellow card for USB.

Impeding or blocking the keeper is done solely to rile and block the keeper from seeing the cross or moving him off the goal line into a lesser defensive position. While I will allow an opponent to take a position in front of a keeper if he mirrors the keepers movements or backs into the keeper I likely will ask he refrain from that behavior. The keeper must not be allowed use his hands to push that opponent or step on his ankles because he is too close

If you watch at most any corner a great deal of pushing, grabbing and shoving tends to ALWAYS occur to SOME degree. It is in this degree area we find ourselves as determining what is acceptable as FAIR today or perhaps doubtful or trivial to the result. If when the corner is taken, I see a blocking opponent move in unison with the keeper rather than follow the line of sight of the ball we could have an indfk out for impeding. If I see unfair contact then we could upgrade to a DFK out for say holding.
Mind you a keeper who thinks just because an opponent is in front of him can be rammed or shoved we could have a DFK likely PK for pushing or charging.

It is good advice to not let the players go berserk in their set up stages of to and fro jockeying at corner or free kicks. If you let them go at each other hard before a ball is in play the festering could erupt if contact before the ball affected how that defending player missed his assignment to defend or the attacker missed the opportunity to score.

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

There are no "rules", per say, for this. Football is a contact sport BUT no player may touch another unless challenging, shoulder to shoulder [a charge], before the ball is played. It is a simple fact of life, ALL the pushing, holding, bumping, rubbing up against each other acting like dancers at the junior prom is beyond the Law.

Referees on the television allow it because they are experienced enough to understand when the players tolerance levels are neared. That is when she will intervene. At the level you speak of, the referee is well advised to prevent it at any cost. If that means a whistle at every corner kick, so be it.

Regards,