| In any sport, a foul is a violation of that sport's code | | | | on the field. The offense of "impeding an opponent" |
| of conduct, and each sport punishes foul play in its | | | | involves the deliberate use of the body to interfere |
| own unique way. Soccer defines a foul as an unfair | | | | with the other player's movement in order to delay |
| action a player commits against an opposing player or | | | | his progress, and is punished with an indirect kick. This |
| the opposing team during the course of a match. The | | | | foul often occurs when a player senses that a |
| punishment varies depending upon the nature of the | | | | speeding opponent will beat him to the ball, or |
| infraction, but will be either a direct or indirect free | | | | anticipates a potentially troublesome pass into open |
| kick. To be a foul, the act must occur on the field, | | | | space. By stepping in front of the opponent and |
| while the ball is in play. Otherwise, it may constitute a | | | | blocking his progress, the player hopes to slow his |
| misconduct, and may even warrant a caution or | | | | opponent down so that a teammate can collect the |
| send-off, but it will not be a foul. | | | | ball. If this action causes more than incidental physical |
| For some minor infractions the punishment is an | | | | contact with the blocked player, it may constitute a |
| indirect kick. This means that at least two players | | | | "charging" or "holding" foul, rather than "impeding." |
| must touch the ball before the kicking team can | | | | A player within "playing distance" of the ball may |
| score. These fouls are often called "technical fouls" | | | | legally block his opponent's pathway to it without |
| because most are not the direct result of foul play, | | | | being guilty of a foul. This is known as "shielding," and |
| but are violations of some procedural rules designed | | | | involves the use of the body to keep possession. |
| to keep play flowing or prevent more serious fouls | | | | Playing distance will vary depending on the speed of |
| from happening. One such "technical foul" is the | | | | the players and the ball, and ultimately rests with the |
| offense of impeding an opponent--commonly known | | | | referee's judgment, but the shielding player does not |
| as "obstructing." | | | | actually have to touch the ball to shield it legally from |
| Impeding an opponent | | | | the other side. Shepherding the ball out of bounds or |
| Soccer players often get in each other's way during | | | | towards the keeper is a recognized and quite |
| the normal run of play. Sometimes, though, players | | | | legitimate tactic, as long as the player guarding the |
| will intentionally block their opponents from running | | | | ball stays within playing distance. |
| after the ball or moving into tactically important space | | | | |