Obstruction in soccer / football
Football, as it’s called everywhere (soccer only in the USA), has a rule that is a little vague, but I think it’s currently interpreted in a way that makes the game less interesting to watch, have fewer goals, and is, overall, less sporting. Here’s the rule so you can know what I am talking about (from the FA):
Impeding the progress of an opponent means moving into the opponent’s path to obstruct, block, slow down or force a change of direction when the ball is not within playing distance of either player.
All players have a right to their position on the field of play; being in the way of an opponent is not the same as moving into the way of an opponent.
A player may shield the ball by taking a position between an opponent and the ball if the ball is within playing distance and the opponent is not held off with the arms or body. If the ball is within playing distance, the player may be fairly charged by an opponent.
LAW 12: FOULS AND MISCONDUCT: https://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/lawsandrules/laws/football-11-11/law-12—fouls-and-misconduct
IFAB – the International Football Association Board – uses the exact same wording (link), which is not surprising as the English FA makes up one eighth of IFAB’s voting membership.
IFAB – the International Football Association Board – uses the exact same wording (link), which is not surprising as the English FA makes up one eighth of IFAB’s voting membership.
In my opinion – and let’s be clear, that’s what it is – the first two paragraphs seem to be cancelled out by the last. And I don’t think they should be. Shepherding the ball out means that no-one is playing the ball. A slightly long kick by the goal keeper, for example, just drifts out of play, with the defending player ‘shepherding’ it out of play. How much more football would be played if the defender had to play their way out of trouble?
What do you think? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter.