Is there a rule against shielding in soccer

In a game today the keeper was yelling shield shield shield the defender was between the forward and the ball and began to slow down the keeper picked up the ball and the forward pushed the defender with both hands to the ground. The ref blew his whistle and gave the offense a free kick outside the 18 for shielding he said its when the defender blocks the ball and doesnt make a play on the ball. I had never heard of this call and was wondering if he just made it up.

Shielding implies that you are within "playing distance" of the ball. Playing distance means that at any moment you could reach out and play the ball. Playing distance is interpretable, that is to say, each Ref could have a slightly different version of exactly what playing distance is, but 5 yds is NOT playing distance. Nobody can play a ball that is yds away from them. If you are NOT within playing distance of the ball and you are NOT trying to get to the ball, if you are only trying to prevent your opponent from getting to the ball, then you are impeding your opponent. Impeding is a foul.

Shielding implies you are within playing distance of the ball, shielding is perfectly legal.

Impeding implies that you are not within playing distance of the ball and you are not trying to get to the ball, that you are only trying to prevent your opponent from getting to the ball. Impeding is a foul.

the ball was with in 12 inchs of the defenders feet she shielded the ball untill the keeper picked it up and it crossed into the 18

The ref said the call was for shielding and it was a text book example of shielding

GGoat wrote:the ball was with in 12 inchs of the defenders feet she shielded the ball untill the keeper picked it up and it crossed into the 18

OLJW explanation was correct.

If it was 12 inches, it was in playing distance and the defender shielded the ball legally. In your case, it should be called a foul against offense.

Is there a rule against shielding or did he just make it up

Impeding/obstruction...see it all the time done against keepers, epecially on corner kicks. Refs never call it.

It's a pretty subjective call.. not all refs call it the same way @ the youth level.  The question is whether or not the defender can & was making a play on the ball or the player, distance only makes it more obvious for the latter.  Make a play on the ball.. it's shielding.  Go after the player and make no attempt to get to the ball.. that's impeding.  

Pros are given a ton of latitude on this play, almost like traveling in basketball... which only makes it more confusing for the average dude.  They will run full sprint to the ball, get within inches, not once try to touch it and then let it roll out as they block the other player.. no call.

The_Dude wrote:  

Pros are given a ton of latitude on this play, almost like traveling in basketball... which only makes it more confusing for the average dude.  They will run full sprint to the ball, get within inches, not once try to touch it and then let it roll out as they block the other player.. no call.

And no call warranted in that example. You don't have to touch the ball or even try to touch the ball. As long as you are within reasonable distance of the ball, you are "playing the ball". 12 inches is certainly reasonable.

Mark it zero, Dude!  I stand corrected.  According to FIFA, distance is the issue... well the 1st part at least.  

"A player who places himself between an opponent and the ball for tactical reasons has not committed an offence as long as the ball is kept in playing distance and the player does not hold off the opponent with his arms or body."

another noteworthy quote from that section.

"Being in the way of an opponent, is not the same as moving in the way of an opponent."

GGoat wrote:In a game today the keeper was yelling shield shield shield the defender was between the forward and the ball and began to slow down the keeper picked up the ball and the forward pushed the defender with both hands to the ground. The ref blew his whistle and gave the offense a free kick outside the 18 for shielding he said its when the defender blocks the ball and doesnt make a play on the ball. I had never heard of this call and was wondering if he just made it up.  

An obstruction call is warranted if the defender, not in playing distance of the ball, moves into the path of the attacker to prevent her from going for the ball. Stopping or slowing down while moving towards the ball is not obstructing... being several steps from the ball and intentionally sidestepping into the opponent's path IS an offense.

In the case you cited, sounds like the defender was escorting the ball to the keeper while within a step or 2 of the ball. This is not an offense. The foul should have been against the attacking player.

No, there is no law against shielding.

Calling it a text book example of shielding and calling it a foul is exactly the same as if he had said, "it's a text book example of dribbling, that's a foul".

If he meant to call it "Impeding" and he called it "Shielding", it's a pretty good indication, that he's not really that familiar. Your gonna get a ton of that.

My favorite Ref is a guy named Rueben. I didn't ask Rueben for his permission to post his name, but I'm gonna guess that he won't mind. If you happen to get Rueben, count your lucky stars, because you're going to get to watch a soccer match, instead of the standard WWF Saturday cage match throw down, where the laws seem to be made up as you go in 15 second increments. There is also a female Ref, I'd say she's in her 50's, shortish blonde hair and she also calls a soccer match. Most of'em? Don't ask me, I'm expecting a Keeper to be called for "goaltending" any day now.

Thats what I thought because they are taught to shield and let the keeper have it I think he was trying to change the outcome of the game it was 2-1 us and he called that and gave them a free kick a few minutes later gave them another outside the 18 and our coach was kicked out then our girls got mad and ran off 3 goals so in the end it didnt mater. I think he was just making something up when he called shielding. I dont know why it didnt make any sense

OLJW wrote:No, there is no law against shielding.

Calling it a text book example of shielding and calling it a foul is exactly the same as if he had said, "it's a text book example of dribbling, that's a foul".

If he meant to call it "Impeding" and he called it "Shielding", it's a pretty good indication, that he's not really that familiar. Your gonna get a ton of that.

My favorite Ref is a guy named Rueben. I didn't ask Rueben for his permission to post his name, but I'm gonna guess that he won't mind. If you happen to get Rueben, count your lucky stars, because you're  going to get to watch a soccer match, instead of the standard WWF Saturday cage match throw down, where the laws seem to be made up as you go in 15 second increments.  There is also a female Ref, I'd say she's in her 50's, shortish blonde hair and she also calls a soccer match. Most of'em? Don't ask me, I'm expecting a Keeper to be called for "goaltending" any day now.

Oooogly... I hope you're not planning on using that nose again for a while... I leave the forum for a few days, and I come back to find you...ehem, Flattering  officials... What next, KnK becomes a LHGCL ambassador?!

Ha!!! Credit where credit is due. Rueben is the bomb.

I only know his name, because I asked him after I saw him the second time.

OLJW wrote:Ha!!!  Credit where credit is due. Rueben is the bomb.

I only know his name, because I asked him after I saw him the second time.

Had the pleasure of having Rueben and the blond seasoned lady.(Mama told me never to guess a woman's age or weight) Probably in my list of the Fab 5 of North Texas Referees.

There is another guy I can't remember his name well built fella ( bigger then Ed Hochuli without all the flexing everytime the call is made) he makes the list as well. MM getting to five is becoming more of a challenge then I thought it would be

Oh yah there is another that has a knee brace that runs more then 85% of the officials in the area that makes the top 5.

Thinking hard for the 5th I'll have to get back with you.

The knee brace guy is really good-had him in Dallas Cup last year, and a recent game with my boys. He is getting tired of the drama and may stop reffing.
The bigger guy is excellent at managing a game and explaining what he saw and WHY he made a call or a no call. I don't always agree with him, but I know the big stuff will get called, and he will pull a card after a warning or for anything that warrants it.
The woman is pretty good as well. I haven't seen her at one of our games for a while.
There is a white haired guy that is about 6' 2" maybe 60 that is pretty good as well, and another white guy about 40-45 that wear glasses and looks a little nerdy that has called some good games for our teams.

Officiating is a real interesting topic.  Not just in soccer, but all youth and high school sports.  There is a real shortage of officials in most sports across the state and probably in a lot of areas nationwide.  I ref football at a high school level and would not even consider youth officiating unless desperate for money.  But really, at all levels, the amount of abuse is ridiculous.  Fans and coaches have an unrealistic expectation when it comes to officiating.  These officials, like most of us, have real jobs outside the sport they officiate.  Officiating is a paid hobby and some take it more serious than others.  But, we parents, players, coaches, expect these officials to be spot on with everything which is a silly expectation.  I say "we" as I can lose my patience with officials as much as anyone.  I get caught up as much as anyone.  A lot of people who really have no idea what officiating is like will comment about how an official should not be out there if he is not good, does not know the rules, etc.  This level is not World Cup.  It is a development process and sometimes people are just not very good at it.  All I can say is if people that really rip officials think they can do a better job than go prove yourself.  You might get a way different perspective.  I know that most people do not have the stomach and their skin is too thin.  That is why it is very hard to retain younger and newer officials.

textigerfan wrote:Officiating is a real interesting topic.  Not just in soccer, but all youth and high school sports.  There is a real shortage of officials in most sports across the state and probably in a lot of areas nationwide.  I ref football at a high school level and would not even consider youth officiating unless desperate for money.  But really, at all levels, the amount of abuse is ridiculous.  Fans and coaches have an unrealistic expectation when it comes to officiating.  These officials, like most of us, have real jobs outside the sport they officiate.  Officiating is a paid hobby and some take it more serious than others.  But, we parents, players, coaches, expect these officials to be spot on with everything which is a silly expectation.  I say "we" as I can lose my patience with officials as much as anyone.  I get caught up as much as anyone.  A lot of people who really have no idea what officiating is like will comment about how an official should not be out there if he is not good, does not know the rules, etc.  This level is not World Cup.  It is a development process and sometimes people are just not very good at it.  All I can say is if people that really rip officials think they can do a better job than go prove yourself.  You might get a way different perspective.  I know that most people do not have the stomach and their skin is too thin.  That is why it is very hard to retain younger and newer officials.

Good post. I do think expectations can be unrealistic at times. However, I do not think it is too much to ask that they 1) know the Law and DO NOT make up their own Law and 2) put in the same effort as the kids.

I so agree but also understand that will not always be the case.  I can tell you that knowing the law at a very detailed level is a long process, at least in football.  There is also knowing the law and recognizing the law.  I would bet the majority of them put in ample time but it is a matter of experience.  It will only be so consistent, which at this level will not be very consistent at all.  Not sure what the answer is.  Could pay more and test more.  But, if you make it too hard to officiate without much in return (and it is not much in return), no one will do it.  I am seeing that first hand in football.  Officials are starting to retire earlier than they used to as the abuse is so much higher and the pay has actually gotten lower.  Than you have younger officials who think they should be officiating big games super early in their development quit as they do not (and should not) receive those assignments.  It is a slow contraction of officiating pool that is in progress.  I can tell you this, I am 45, been officiating football 17 years.  When it is no longer fun, I will quit.  There will be no age limit on that.  It could be when I am 46 or 76 or anytime in between.  I will not be one of those guys that hangs on to hang on.  Not worth it.  But I am sure what will make it not fun will be the abuse and expectations.  It will not have anything to do with the game itself.  I am sure there are a ton of officials that feel the same.

Pleeeeeaaaase, the love, admiration is making me queasy... The opening ceremonies haven't even begun and teams are already lobbying the referees!

I'm gathering their orders for lunch breaks...

Packrabbit wrote:Pleeeeeaaaase, the love, admiration is making me queasy... The opening ceremonies haven't even begun and teams are already lobbying the referees!

I'm gathering their orders for lunch breaks...

Be honest, you are gathering their orders for halftime of the Texans matches...silly wabbit!

No, he's not. He can't reach them. They're all staying at The Mansion under aliases, payed for by me.

Then it will be like some of the lower hs matches where the refs showed late or not at all...lol

Exactly.........but we're expecting all our games to begin with our opponents receiving 15 red cards......during warmup.