Shielding and Obstruction

[RedRabbit]

This may have been asked before put no clear answer given.
What is the difference between these two and how does a ref know when to make a call or let play continue??

[triniboi101]

Shielding the ball can be seen most prominently at the out of play lines where players have every right to put their body behind the ball and let it roll out of play whether you like it or not. However obstruction is where a player deliberately barges in front of another player and prevents him from winning the ball in a promising position.

Obstruction is easy for most ref's to spot because when an opponent deliberately sets himself in front the ball and prevents you from winning it either by pushing you off or otherwise whereas letting play continue is when the ref sees nothing wrong with the way in which the player won the ball and is preventing the opponent from winning it either by standing strong or otherwise.

I hope I've been sum help:thumbup1:

[RedRabbit]

Shielding the ball can be seen most prominently at the out of play lines where players have every right to put their body behind the ball and let it roll out of play whether you like it or not. However obstruction is where a player deliberately barges in front of another player and prevents him from winning the ball in a promising position.

Obstruction is easy for most ref's to spot because when an opponent deliberately sets himself in front the ball and prevents you from winning it either by pushing you off or otherwise whereas letting play continue is when the ref sees nothing wrong with the way in which the player won the ball and is preventing the opponent from winning it either by standing strong or otherwise.

I hope I've been sum help:thumbup1:

It does, thank you. :thumbup1:
I wish the refs in my league knew the difference :nodyes:

[FourOneFourOne]

I'm afraid you're not 100% correct Triniboi.

Shielding the ball is only allowed if the ball is within playing distance of the player doing the shielding. Of course, most refs turn a blind eye if the ball is going out of play, but they shouldn't.