Question Number: 22095

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/27/2009

RE: AYSO Boys U10 Under 11

Mike of Chino Hills, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 17457

I have a question about some of the different answers. Referee Fleischer (I sure miss that guy), seemed to say that if the out-stretched arm did not make bodily contact, than the foul is impeding; restarting with an IFK. However, it was also mentioned that it could be holding which is a DK. Is it 'impeding' if there is no contact, and 'holding' if there is contact? Can you have 'holding' without contact? I ask, because I whistled a foul when an attacker extended his arm (like a police officer stopping traffic) with his hand near the face of a defender. Contact was not made, but his hand was six inches from the defender's face. At the time, I awarded a DK for attempting to push. Later, I realized that 'attempting' does not apply to the foul of pushing. I'm wondering if the restart should have been IFK for impeding. Or DK for holding. It makes a big difference if it should occur in the penalty area.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

As do we all!
Impeding is without contact. Your description could be an attempt to strike which is covered as a DFK.
The holding and pushing does require a physical component of grabbing or pushing into or backing into the opponent.
YES whether an offence merits an INDFK or a DFK is a HUGE deal in the penalty area!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The USSF Advice To Referees (which AYSO follows) states, at 12.8: 'Holding an opponent includes the act of stretching the arms out to prevent an opponent from moving past or around.'

The indirect free kick foul for impeding requires that the ball not be within playing distance. When the ball IS within playing distance, a player may shield the ball using the body and cannot impede an opponent. The player still may not stretch out the arms to prevent the opponent from moving past.

When the ball is NOT within playing distance, and depending on the circumstances, a player generally will be called for impeding for interfering with the opponent if there is no contact and charging when there is contact. (See Advice to Referees, 12.14).

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Not at the U-littles, but at older ages, I'd also consider unsporting behavior for a hand held up into an opponent's face. It's not just trying to keep the player out of play, it's agressive.