"Obstructing the view of the goalie"

[phatneff]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

phatneff,
If you would change "without he/she him/herself going to play the ball" to "without he/she him/herself being within playing distance of the ball", then I would agree with your post 100%.

That's actually what I meant. Mind was ahead of my fingers.

[BCer]

The description isn't really enough to figure out what the call was.

Most likely was an attacker in an offside position who blocked the keeper's view of a shot on net. Very difficult call to make (takes a very well positioned ref and a very knowledgeable one), but definitely a correct call if the circumstances fit.

The only other one I can think of is actually impeding the goal keeper from getting to the ball. I've only called this on set plays - corners or FK from deep areas near the corner. It tends to be obvious what the attacker is try to do if the keeper moves around (if the keeper is stationary, then it is almost impossible to call). I can't imagine calling impeding if this was not a set play.

[Sylverwyng]

The other use of the obstruction foul is when the offensive player stands in front of a goalkeeper during a free kick, and throws his hands up in the air. There is no reason for a players hands to be in the air as an offensive player, ever, and doing so is ONLY good to block the view of the goalie from the shot. I have had this called against players trying to impede my line of sight, and I have had referees tell me there is no such call. So, it may be a judgement call on the part of the officials.