Question Number: 35136

High School 10/3/2023

RE: High School

Franco of Bloomington , Indiana USA asks...

I have a situation that was explained by a ref and I can not find this explanation in the 2023-24 NFHS rule book

we had the lead and my player dribbled the ball to the corner and shielded it. At first two opponents came up to him and he shielded but then then opponents yelled for them to get away from him so they backed off.
My player just stood there with the ball. Eventually the AR told him he must PLAY the ball. He said I am, I am holding the ball in the corner. The ref told him its obstruction of the game.

I found nothing in the rule book about that Except in situations it specifically said that a player is legal to shield the ball in the corner, but it didn't address the opponents not pressuring the holding player

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Franco
It surprises me that the opponents were shouting to not challenge for the ball. I suspect that they knew that a call was going to be made based on it happening before.
Obstruction is the deliberate act by a player, not in possession of the ball and/or not attempting to play the ball, of running between an opponent and the ball or using the body as an obstacle.
I suspect the interpretation was that as the player was not attempting to play the ball and using the body as an obstacle that it was deemed an infraction.
My experience is that these situations are fraught with problems as there is a high risk of infractions which can involve rough play.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Franco,

There is no verbal impeding.
What we call non contact impeding is a form of obstruction where you set a pick like in basket ball to force players away without contact, once contact occurs, it is a DFK, NOT an INDFK but then the ball is not there to be challenged.

If the ball is within playing distance you can shield it from an opponent.
How you shield can result in a foul, perhaps in backing up or using the free arms to hold but that is much different then what you describe?
If your player was dribbling towards the corner he has indeed touched the ball
Your player is not required to dribble it anywhere or juggle it to keep possession
The defenders should double team the corner and force the issue!

I recall an offside #3 player was chasing a through ball, KNEW, he was offside, so stopped chasing turned back and awaited the keeper punt out allowing the ball to roll up close to the the keeper who simply looked at it and waited without touching it, It say there for a bit, then grumbling then yells then finally an exasperated #3 player runs in towards the keeper who did nothing and as #3 got closer the AR popped the flag signaling INDFK out to avoid the contact as #3 was STILL a restricted PIOP (player in an offside position) given the keeper had not played the ball, despite it being effectively under his control so to speak. If the #3 player had been any other opponent the keeper could simply place a hand on the ball gaining an additional 6 seconds. Wasting time? No USING time to his benefit due to bad defending decisions.

The fact the opposition backed off is interesting. Certain referees get a reputation for the things they do be it good or bad. I am unaware if they knew this referee as an earlier match condition, like the weather or pitch surface, you simply adapt thus aware of this peculiar interpretation or concept of obstruction? Under FIFA/ LOTG this would not be considered as a foul only dumb defending? As I mentioned I hope Ref Manjone joins in later!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

Hi Coach Franco,

Obstruction as indicated in NFHS Rule 12-6-1 is the deliberate act of a player that moves into the path of an opponent to block, slow down or force a change in direction when the ball is not within playing distance. From what you stated, your player was within playing distance of the ball so this was not obstruction.

NFHS Rule 12-6-2 further states a player may legally place the ball between opponents and the ball provided the ball is within playing distance. This player may legally be challenged from behind.

As for shielding, as you indicated, this is covered in the Rule 12-6-2 situation on page 66 of the 23-24 NFHS Soccer Rules Book. This situation states: A player dribbles the ball to a corner and while the ball is within playing distance, uses the body to block opponents from reaching the ball. Ruling: Legal. This is shielding which is a legal play.

Shielding is also defined in NFHS Rule 18-1pp as Movement by a player in control of the ball (within playing distance) designed to prevent an opponent from gaining possession or prevent an opponent from tackling the ball.

From what you indicated, your player was legally shielding and your opponents should have been trying to play the ball. A verbal suggestion (rather than warning) to play should have been given to your opponents.

Hopefully, this ruling by the referee did not impact the outcome.