Question Number: 17191

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/8/2007

RE: Rec Under 13

Tony Ooten of Powder Springs, Georgia United States asks...

On a corner kick, how physical can the defense be when battling for position in front of the goal? Can they "box out" as if fighting for a rebound in basketball?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Players are entitled to their own space on the field, not anyone else's space. If the players are jostling for position before the kick is made, you yell at them to knock it off!

After the kick is taken, players can only charge another if they are making a play for the ball. Else it's a fair charge off the ball, resulting in an indirect free kick for the opponent. If they're boxing up a player, that would be a form of holding, a direct free kick foul. The guy who moves in front of the keeper has just impeded the keeper, another indirect kick offense.

Referees need to watch what is happening in the crowd near the goal. There's little need to watch the ball and the solo guy taking the kick - neither one of them is going to commit a foul.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Tony. Well if you're playing at Tramore Field, doubt any of us would permit your "boxing out". If your players do that they will be found guilty of holding and a direct free kick or penalty kick would be awarded. I'd like to think the rest of the Cobb County referees would likewise properly penalize any player doing this. If a player moves to impede the progress of an opponent without contact it's an indirect free kick.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Law 12 mentions some things players shouldn't do, it would be a good idea to make your players familiar with those things and leave the basketball stuff to the basketball players.

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

See Question: 17229