The quick answer
Shielding is legal when the ball is within playing distance and the player does not hold the opponent off with the arms or body. Impeding is a foul when a player moves into an opponent's path to block them while the ball is out of reach of both. The playing-distance ring is a teaching aid, not an official fixed radius.
See what changes
Choose a play. Use Play or Freeze decision, then read the example.
A player stays between the opponent and a ball that is rolling out of play, keeping it within reach.
- Blue team
- Green team
- Goalkeeper
- Referee or assistant
Shielding the ball
A player stays between the opponent and a ball that is rolling out of play, keeping it within reach.
Paused
Shielding the ball
A player stays between the opponent and a ball that is rolling out of play, keeping it within reach.
Legal: play continues
The ball is within playing distance, and the player uses position only, not the arms.
Blocking the runner
The ball is played well past a defender, who then steps across to block the attacker chasing it. There is no contact.
Impeding: indirect free kick
The ball is out of reach of both players, and the defender moved into the opponent's path to stop them.
Holding off with an arm
A player shields the ball but reaches back and holds the opponent off.
Holding: direct free kick
Shielding has to be done with body position. Holding or pushing an opponent away is a foul with contact.
Standing still
An attacker runs into a defender who was already standing there.
No offence: play continues
Every player has a right to their position on the field. The defender did not move into the attacker's path.
Common misunderstandings
- “That is obstruction!” Not if the ball is within reach. Keeping your body between the opponent and the ball is allowed.
- “There was no contact, so no foul.” Blocking a player's path can be a foul without any contact.
- “Defenders have to get out of the way.” No. A player who is already there does not have to move.
What happens next?
Impeding without contact gives an indirect free kick. Holding, pushing or impeding with contact gives a direct free kick, or a penalty if a defender does it inside their own penalty area.
What signal might you see?
An arm overhead indicates an indirect free kick. A fair challenge can be allowed while the ball is within playing distance.
Check your competition
Check your competition’s written rules and edition. Adapted youth formats may differ. The selected website city does not change the match rules.
Make the call
One question. No score or account needed.
A player moves into a runner’s path with no contact and the ball out of reach of both. What is the restart?
Sources and review
Rules edition: 2026/27 · Sources checked:
Prepared with AI assistance; checked against the linked rules. Simplified illustrations are teaching examples. AI transparency
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