Quote Originally Posted by donsdaft View Post
You could shield the ball but the ball had to be within playing range.

So mostly when you see a defender shepherd the ball out of play these days ( with an opponent on his back) it starts off ok but ends up becoming obstruction.

Indirect free kick.
I think that’s correct - the defending player, in that scenario, has to be pretty much at the ball and can’t legitimately place himself between the ball and the attacker as they both chase the ball down the wing for example where the defender has no prospect of getting to the ball. Watch how John McGinn shields the ball with his ar** - he’s adept at the art, as was Kenny Dalgliesh.