Blocking Keeper

[gbuley]

Hi All,

I have enjoyed reading the referee board and getting all of your insights into the laws of the game.

In some of my sons recent U12 games, I have noticed a consistant tactic by the other teams that I would appreciate your comments on. During corner kicks in outdoor or any free kick indoor, some opposing teams always have one of their players doing their best to interfere with our keeper. This involves the field player not only standing in front of the keeper and moving to always stay directly in front of them so they cant see the incoming kick, but also often leaning against them (sometimes even hoding them) to prevent or slow down the ability of the keeper to move towards the ball.

Is this a legal tactic and why or why not? Thanks for your help.

[MidwestRef]

This is a pretty clear-cut case of either impeding (indirect free kick when the player does not make contact) or pushing (direct free kick when the player does contact the keeper). A player cannot impede another player by keeping his/her body in front of another player when not playing the ball.

[IASocFan]

When I have seen this tactic (numerous times), I usually position myself closer to the goal and look for fouls against the keeper. One call against the attacking team usually ends the tactic.

As my Midwest colleague noted, impeding or pushing the keeper is illegal. The attacker do have a right to be anywhere on the field, so going for the ball, charging the keeper while going for the ball, and, if you have possession, shielding the ball are all legal. As a player, I frequently like to play near the keeper on corner kicks, but I know what I can legally do. :)

[jacathcart]

"In some of my sons recent U12 games, I have noticed a consistant tactic by the other teams that I would appreciate your comments on. During corner kicks in outdoor or any free kick indoor, some opposing teams always have one of their players doing their best to interfere with our keeper. This involves the field player not only standing in front of the keeper and moving to always stay directly in front of them so they can't see the incoming kick, but also often leaning against them (sometimes even hoding them) to prevent or slow down the ability of the keeper to move towards the ball. "

A player may not obstruct or impede another player unless he or she is within playing distance of the ball. The classic example is a defender shielding a ball that is going to roll into touch or over the goal line for a GK. So long as the defender is within playing distance this is OK.

An attacker intentionally using his body to impede the keeper from moving to the ball or to a position before the ball has arrived has committed a foul punishable by an IFK. This is an offense often not called unless the captain or coach has complained to the ref so that he or she is looking for it.

Jim

[Gary V]

One must remember that until the ball is kicked, there is no foul. Anyone can be anywhere they want waiting for the kick - except in space already occupied by another. (There might be misconduct, but that would only be true if the actions would match those you would call reckless if the ball were in play. It would have to be a pretty good push. And if you do card a player, it happened while the ball was out of play, so the restart is still a corner kick.)

The ref has to take command of the situation - which means the ref has to watch for it first. A good, "Knock it off!" sometimes works. I've tried a line, somewhat unsuccessfully, that has worked for others: "Hey, guys, if you want to go dancing make a date for after the game." If tempers are starting to flare, it might be better to hold up the kick and talk to the players, get them calmed down.

Once the ball is kicked, a player who continues to move to block the keeper is guilty of impeding.

[Jeff from Michigan]

The other thing to remember is that a referee usually only has to make this call once, for the problem to disappear: most teams don't like squandering their corner kicks...and if the referee makes it clear that he won't allow the tactic of blocking the keeper to succeed, it usually makes the rest of the CKs go quite a bit easier.

[Tame Lion]

The other thing to remember is that a referee usually only has to make this call once, for the problem to disappear . . .
I concur with Jeff that once the practice is dealt with, it ends.

Whenever I encounter this, I intervene quickly as I have seen “jockeying for position” turn into a pushing and shoving match.

My understanding of the legalities on any restart is that a player can stand anywhere he wants if it is legal to be there (must give 10 yards, must be outside penalty area, etc. when required). No one may move him from that position if he gets there first – it is HIS position. However, it is not legal to use that position to infringe some law after the ball is in play.

Thus an attacker can stand in a place to block the GK’s mobility and vision – the ball might go there as part of a set play. If the GK moves elsewhere and the blocker moves with him, the referee should now have the opinion that blocking is intentional. As soon as the ball is in play, it is either impeding or holding (if the blocker initiates physical contact). In the case described originally by gbuley the blocker continued to block the GK after the ball was in play with additional movements. This conduct is a foul AND misconduct (USB) since the attacker is denying the GK even the right to play in the match!

If instead the GK moves elsewhere and the blocker does not move with him, the referee has no basis to believe that the blocking is intentional. But watch him like a hawk! Because he might wait until just after the ball is in play and then try to either impede or hold the GK.