Question Number: 22901

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/5/2010

RE: Competitive Under 17

David Willett of San Clemente, CA USA asks...

Contact significance in Shielding/Impeding:

1 If there is a shield (ball is playable) and the player holds their arms out but there is NO CONTACT. Do we have a foul (yet)?

2 If there is impeding and the opponent who is impeded runs into the back of the player impeding, yet not so hard as to be careless, that is still an IFK correct? A group of referees around here say if there is contact, it is a Direct kick. I can't find anything that says it MUST be a direct kick with contact.

Thank you,
David

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Contact usually means we have gone from impeding to charging, pushing or tackling in a careless, reckless or violent manner - or we see holding which simply has to happen to be an offense. Contact is often the determiner of whether or not we have a DFK offense or not. However, saying contact always means it is a DFK is inaccurate - which is why you can't find anything that says it MUST be a DFK if there is contact. There could be circumstances akin to your example in #2 where the referee might choose to go with impeding instead ofa DFK.

The referee must judge the facts of play as she sees them in front of her. If the player is legitimately shielding and not holding or impeding, there is no call to be made - contact or not. A player can be shielding the ball while in full contact with an opponent - legally. The referee will need to watch carefully and judge.

An opponent of the player who is shielding is allowed to contact or charge the shielding player in an effort to win the ball. They cannot charge directly at the spinal area, nor can they charge, push or tackle carelessly, recklessly or with violence. The referee needs to attain a position that allows perspective on what is happening and decide whether it is fair and vigorous play, or unfair and thus an offense to be whistled.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Willett
1. Player have a habit of having their arms out by their side in these situations. Many opponents expect this and a foul is rarely sought or called.
2. If you read the Laws on Impeding the offence can generally only be called if there is no contact. As soon as a player is guilty of impeding and it results in contact it then becomes a penal foul of holding, pushing, charging which is a direct free kick restart.