Soccer is widely recognized as a contact sport, but it is not a collision sport like American football or rugby. While physical interaction between players is an inherent part of the game, the rules strictly govern how and when contact can occur to ensure player safety and fair play. One of the most common sources of confusion for spectators and new players is the distinction between legal physical challenges and illegal pushing fouls.
Understanding the nuances of pushing is essential for anyone involved in the sport, from defenders trying to protect their goal to referees tasked with enforcing the Laws of the Game. A push can range from a minor infringement that results in a simple free kick to a severe act of violent conduct that warrants an immediate expulsion. The difference often lies in the mechanics of the movement, the force used, and the intent behind the action.
This article explores the official regulations regarding pushing in soccer, detailing the specific criteria referees use to judge fouls. We will examine the mechanics of the legal shoulder charge, the consequences of illegal use of hands, and the disciplinary sanctions that follow dangerous play.
The Official Laws of the Game Regarding Pushing
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) establishes the universal rules for soccer, known as the Laws of the Game. Law 12, which covers “Fouls and Misconduct,” specifically addresses pushing as a direct free kick offense. According to this law, a foul is committed if a player pushes an opponent in a manner that the referee considers careless, reckless, or using excessive force.
The term “careless” implies that a player has shown a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or has acted without precaution. In these instances, the referee awards a direct free kick to the opposing team, but no disciplinary card is typically shown. This category covers most minor pushes that occur during clumsy challenges for the ball.
“Reckless” behavior involves a player acting with complete disregard for the danger to, or consequences for, their opponent. If a push is deemed reckless, the referee must caution the offender with a yellow card in addition to awarding the free kick. This often happens when a player pushes an opponent who is running at high speed, significantly increasing the risk of injury.
“Excessive force” refers to a situation where a player exceeds the necessary use of strength and endangers the safety of an opponent. A push falling into this category is considered serious foul play or violent conduct. The referee is required to send off the offending player with a red card, leaving their team with one less player for the remainder of the match.
Legal vs. Illegal Contact: The Shoulder Charge
One of the most misunderstood aspects of physical contact in soccer is the shoulder charge. Many observers assume that any strong physical contact is a foul, but a fair shoulder charge is a perfectly legal and essential part of the game. A fair charge occurs when two players contest for the ball using shoulder-to-shoulder contact while the ball is within playing distance.
For a shoulder charge to be legal, both players must be upright and moving for the ball, not just the player. The contact must be strictly shoulder-to-shoulder; using the chest, back, or arm to initiate contact turns the challenge into a foul. Furthermore, the players must keep their elbows tucked in close to their bodies. Raising the elbow or arm to create separation or impact is considered pushing or striking.
The intent of the charge must be to win the ball, not simply to knock the opponent over. If a player has no possibility of playing the ball and focuses entirely on the physical impact, the referee will likely call a foul for impeding or pushing. However, if a smaller player is knocked off balance by a stronger player during a fair shoulder-to-shoulder challenge, play is usually allowed to continue.
Shielding the Ball and Impeding Progress
Shielding is a tactical skill where a player positions their body between the ball and the opponent to prevent them from gaining possession. This is a legal maneuver provided the ball is within playing distance and the player is not using their arms to hold off the defender. Effective shielding relies on a low center of gravity and strong balance rather than active pushing.
A foul occurs when shielding turns into impeding. 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. If a player uses their body to push an opponent away while the ball is far away, they are guilty of obstruction.
Referees look closely at the arms during shielding. A player may extend their arms slightly for balance, but they cannot use their hands or arms to push the defender back. If a player creates space by shoving the defender’s chest or face with their hand, it is a direct free kick offense and potentially a yellow card for unsporting behavior.
Hands and Arms: The Mechanics of a Foul
While soccer is played primarily with the feet, the upper body plays a significant role in balance and protection. However, the deliberate use of hands or arms to displace an opponent is strictly prohibited. A push is defined by the extension of the arms into an opponent, transferring force that disrupts their movement or balance.
Referees are trained to distinguish between contact that is a natural consequence of movement and contact that is deliberate. For example, when players jump for a header, there is often incidental body contact. However, if a player places their hands on the opponent’s back or shoulders to gain leverage or prevent the opponent from jumping, this is a pushing foul.
Pushing in the back is considered particularly dangerous because the victim often cannot see the contact coming and cannot brace for the fall. This type of foul is frequently called in midfield battles and during corner kicks. Even a slight push in the back can cause a sprinting player to lose balance and crash at high speed, leading referees to be vigilant about penalizing this behavior.
Disciplinary Sanctions and Tactical Fouls
Beyond the physical mechanics of the push, referees assess the tactical context of the foul to determine the appropriate punishment. A push that stops a promising attack is considered a tactical foul. Even if the physical force used was minimal, the cynical nature of the foul warrants a yellow card for unsporting behavior.
A more severe scenario involves the Denial of an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity (DOGSO). If a defender pushes an attacker who has a clear path to the goal, control of the ball, and no other defenders to beat, the referee will issue a red card. This rule exists to prevent players from using illegal tactics to neutralize clear scoring chances.
The location of the push also dictates the restart of play. A push committed by a defender inside their own penalty area results in a penalty kick for the attacking team. This is one of the most critical decisions a referee can make, as penalty kicks have a very high conversion rate. Consequently, defenders must be extremely disciplined with their physical contact when inside the box.
The Role of Intent and Referee Interpretation
Refereeing is subjective by nature, and the interpretation of a push can vary depending on the flow of the game and the referee’s perspective. Referees often apply the “advantage clause,” allowing play to continue if the fouled team retains possession and has a good attacking opportunity. Stopping play for a minor push might actually penalize the attacking team by halting their momentum.
Referees also evaluate whether a player is “simulating” or diving. Some attackers may exaggerate contact or fall easily when they feel a hand on their back, hoping to win a free kick or penalty. If a referee determines that the contact was insufficient to cause the fall, they may wave play on or even caution the attacker for simulation.
The concept of “trifling” offenses is also relevant. In high-level matches, referees may ignore minor pushes that do not impact the game’s outcome or the players’ safety. This approach helps maintain the flow of the match and prevents the game from becoming fragmented by constant whistle-blowing for negligible contact.
FAQ
Is it legal to push a player with your shoulder?
Yes, pushing with the shoulder is legal under specific conditions, known as a shoulder charge. The contact must be shoulder-to-shoulder, the ball must be within playing distance, and the players must be competing for the ball. If a player uses excessive force or charges into the opponent’s back or chest, it becomes an illegal foul.
What happens if a player pushes an opponent in the penalty box?
If a defender commits a pushing foul against an attacker inside their own penalty area, the referee awards a penalty kick to the attacking team. This applies regardless of where the ball was at the time, as long as the ball was in play. If an attacker pushes a defender in the box, the result is a direct free kick for the defending team.
Can a goalkeeper push players out of the way?
Goalkeepers do not have special privileges to push opponents. While they are allowed to use their hands to catch the ball within the penalty area, they cannot use their hands to shove players. However, referees often give goalkeepers some leeway when they are attempting to reach a high ball, provided the contact is a result of their momentum toward the ball rather than a deliberate push against a player.
Does a push always result in a yellow card?
No, a push does not always result in a yellow card. A simple push that is deemed “careless” results only in a direct free kick. A yellow card is issued if the push is “reckless” or if it stops a promising attack. A red card is issued if the push involves “excessive force” or denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
What is the difference between shielding and obstruction?
Shielding is legal when the player keeps the ball within playing distance and uses their body to protect it without using arms to hold off the opponent. Obstruction, or impeding the progress of an opponent, occurs when a player moves into an opponent’s path to block them when the ball is not within playing distance. Obstruction is penalized with an indirect free kick.
Can you use your arms to fend off a player?
Using arms to actively push or strike an opponent to fend them off is illegal. However, players are allowed to hold their ground and use their strength to protect their position. If an arm is raised to face level or used to forcefully shove an opponent away, it will be called as a foul. The distinction lies between maintaining balance and actively displacing the opponent.
Is pushing allowed during a corner kick?
Pushing is strictly prohibited during corner kicks, although it is common to see players jostling for position. Referees often warn players before the kick is taken if they see excessive holding or pushing. If a defender pushes an attacker to prevent them from reaching the ball once it is in play, a penalty kick is awarded. If an attacker pushes a defender to gain space for a header, a defensive free kick is given.
