The following definitions of Holding and Impeding are given in dictionaries published by Oxford University Press: -

 

to hold = to grasp so as to control;

to grasp = to hold firmly, to grip;

to grip = to grasp tightly, to take a firm hold; whereas

to impede = to retard by obstruction, to hinder;

to hinder = to impede, to delay, to prevent.; to come between, or interpose, which emphasize the non-contact element of obstruction and hindrance. (For example, when we see an obstruction on the road while driving, we try to find a way around it rather than drive through it; or into it).

The problem for us to consider, however, is, “What constitutes holding” in the context of the game, not only in FIFA’s reference to shirt-pulling and arm holding on page 66 of the Laws of the Game, but also in relation to SCREENING THE BALL on page 65, of the 2003 edition.  Let me reverse this order and deal with Impeding first.

 

In life, a person is entitled to the space they are occupying or standing on – but is not entitled to do anything with it that is injurious to another person. Neither is any other person entitled to deprive the first person of that space by illegal or improper means.

           

For a player to use the space they occupy while screening the ball, without offending the Laws, requires the presence of at least two elements of practice and principle – that they concentrates attention on the ball, and on maintaining the correct playing distance from it in order to keep control of it.

           

A player who seeks to screen the ball from an opponent may change position around it, but the moment that their stance & concentration change to one of SCREENING THE OPPONENT FROM THE BALL (for example, by slowing down or backing up), is the moment for the referee to intervene. Such action is a sign of a player’s deliberation and mal-intent.

           

Remember that a player, who turns their back to avoid a challenge in such circumstances, may be charged from behind, but that such a charge may only be administered under the following conditions:     

 

1   by shoulder (not by extended arm,elbowor bump-by- rump)

2   with at least one foot on the ground, ( NO JUMPING )

3   not in the spinal area

4   with no careless, reckless or excessive use of force

5   and in a realistic and genuine attempt to play the ball, not simply to knock out of the way (as retribution for impeding) the opponent who is screening.

Any deviation from those conditions may result in AT LEAST A CAUTION, possibly to each player, the screener if they committed the first offence, and the charger if they exacerbated it – but certainly the latter for an improper charge. The type of punishment depends on the nature of each offence ( IFK for screening without contact, DFK for the rest ). Note that the referee MAY NOT treat this incident as one to penalize the more serious offence, since a minor and major offence was not committed by the SAME PLAYER !

           

Now, back to HOLDING, since that, in this context, is the dividing line between DFK and IFK – or even, no punishment at all.

           

In the SCREENING section of advice on page 65, FIFA refers to the “ illegal use of hand, arm, legs or body ” but it does not therein identify what is illegal. Instead, it identifies in Law 12 what constitutes improper use, and how each misuse should be penalized. It even singles out referees for their FAILURE TO DEAL WITH SPECIFIC HOLDING OFFENCES.

           

In simple terms relative to the game, the act of holding ALWAYS involves physical contact, while that of impeding does not necessarily do so. In consequence, holding, especially when a hand is closed to grasp an opponent or that opponent’s clothing, is penalized by a DFK/PK, while impeding (when it does not involve such contact), is penalized only by IFK.

 

By William Hoyle,

National Instructor & Assessor

 

Editorial Response:

 

Bill,

 

thank you for clarifying this issue as the research you have provided back clearly distinguish for us the two offences.

 

Claude