Question Number: 16913

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/26/2007

RE: Competitive Adult

jonah of Calgary, Alberta Canada asks...

I require some clarification on "impeding." In our game last night, our opponents had only one player (#21) that was a real threat, and only so because she is quite fast. I situated my fastest, smartest defender in one-on-one coverage on #21 and instructed her to be five yards, goal-side of her at all times.

This other team simply pumps the ball forward to give their fast striker a chance to break in alone. It's all they've got.

This is the part where i need help. They play the through-ball ten or fifteen yards ahead of #21, well out of her playing distance. My fast defender, who is now five yards closer to the ball than #21, turns and runs onto it and is called five times for 'obstruction.'

I'm assuming he means impeding progress. If two players turn and run on a through ball that is in neither of their playing distances, and one player (the defender) is faster and has a five-yard headstart, how are they to defend the through-ball if running ahead of the attacker (#21) puts them between #21 and the ball?

In a 50-50, or in this case a 70-30 ball, don't both players have equal right to the shortest path to the ball?

In two of five awarded fouls (against us), as my defender reached the ball she was pushed two-handed in the back, then called for the obstruction.

In another case of "obstruction" calls against us, #21 turned with the ball and played it far enough ahead of herself that my defender turned on the ball and was in the motion of passing it back to the keeper first-touch when the whistle blew for the impeding foul. Does the defender have any rights at all to the ball?

I'm very confused. Any insight will help.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I should let the center from last night's game answer this question. He called impeding twice. He noted that the player turned his head to see where the opponent was going, and then moved to get into that path. Classic examples of impeding the progress of the opponent.

Evidently the ref in your game felt that your defender was not moving toward the ball, but was moving into her good opponent's path. Or maybe he just doesn't get it.

The name of this foul was changed from obstruction 10 years ago. I recently read that NF High School (US school rules) still uses the term obstruction. Figures.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Jonah,
well the referee was consistant and to that end I suppose you must adjust to what that referee sees as an infringment as a match condition.

The truth is even a slower player does not have to alter his or her run towards the ball. If the chasing player wishes to run around and then the lead player moves or shifts over to block that is impeding IF the ball is NOT within playing distance!

Without seeing the event of course we have no way of interpreting whether your player is angling the opposing player away or inserting herself deliberately to block the opponent from getting to the ball in a manner which forces her to avoid a collision or if your player is simply running after the ball to get there ahead of the opponent!

What you describe is both players chase a through ball and your defender is running after the ball being followed by the opponent.
The referee is calling this an INDFK for impeding because the opponent is not allowed to make a straight line towards the ball? That is not in my opinion a law violation.

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Players have the right to run toward the ball. What they can't do is alter their run to "get in the way" of an opponent and slow down. That is impeding the progress of an opponent if there is no physical contact. A faster player has the right to run towards the ball as well BUT he has no right to touch his opponent to get there unless the ball is immediately able to be played AND the contact is shoulder to shoulder. There is a caveat that has been lost from the Laws since 1997, the Laws used to read a charge chest to back charge is permitted so long as it is not dangerous and the opponent is [obstructing] impeding his progress and the ball is present.

On your match the referee gave impeding when one player used his hands to fend off his opponent. I believe that incorrect, BUT I was not there as referee, he was and it is his decision to make. He is the field condition under which your player had to play, she should adjust. Granted adjusting would give up a goal in this case.

In your question you make the point your defender was the faster of the two players, correct? I submit if she is faster and her opponent catches up she is in the way and that's classic impeding the progress of an opponent! Hmmm...

Regards,

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

See Question: 16955