RaveVlog

In football, what is in the rules to stop 10 players forming a tight, arm-linked ring around their 11th player who then dribbles the ball inside this ring (thus preventing him from being tackled) all the way to the other end and kicks the ball in the opposition goal?

Paul, The Hague, Netherlands

• Probably only the likelihood that they would find eleven men forming a tight, arm-linked wall between them and the goal.

  Daniel Owen, London, UK

• Either some sort of rule against obstruction or the fact that the other team might then just form a line of 10 men and not let the circle pass. Also if it were to be done it would make football even more boring than it already is...

  Jonas,

• A serial, 'The Q Team' in a boy's comic of the '40s was based on this idea. A group of prisoners of war had developed this technique.

  Alan Myers, Hitchin, UK

• Regarding previous answers, such an action could not possibly constitute obstruction. To be obstructed a player must already be in possession, otherwise it is no offence to shield the ball with your body, as defenders often do when a ball is running into touch.

  Jeff Lewis, Exmouth, Devon, UK

• There is the obstruction rule however it states that if the player is within playing distance of the ball then it is not obstruction.

  Chay, London, UK

• I don't think they actually linked arms but the practice of forming a chain across the pitch and running in line was used in the 19th century. In some of the early (amateur) years of the FA Cup such play was used and was often successful.

  David, Belfast

• When I was a ref you would award a indirect freekick if a player was obstructing another player, unles he was within approx one yard (playing distance) of the ball I haven't seen a free kick awarded for this for years. It certainly used to stop the wrestling matches that go on at corner kicks these days.

  Steve Wildy, Bristol

• The attempt at playing such an attack offside would probably fail too. As soon as it's spotted what the defending team is attempting to do, the dribbling player could play the ball through for the foremost players to run on to for a 2 or 3 on one with the keeper.

  Mike, London, UK

• To challenge a couple of replies in this thread - and apologies that it is not in direct response to the original question - the impeding by defenders DOES often go against the laws/spirit of the game, in my opinion. Yes, shielding is allowed (and is a skill in itself) but if the defender is a significant distance away from the ball then surely a free kick should be awarded. Also, the attacking team has not necessarily overhit the pass just because it goes out. The receiving player could have got to it had he not been impeded. I think the game would be improved if impeding (not TRUE shielding) was curbed.

  Cal, Edinburgh Scotland