What is the appropriate restart when a defender impedes an attacker by coming between them and the ball?

When a defender impedes an attacker by coming between them and the ball, the appropriate restart involves an indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team. This situation typically arises from a violation of the laws concerning obstruction or unsporting behavior. The player must not intentionally prevent the attacking player from playing the ball without any legitimate attempt to play the ball themselves.

In this scenario, a yellow card may be issued if the defender’s actions are deemed to warrant disciplinary action, such as when the obstruction is considered unsporting. However, the specifics of the act (impeding) lead to an indirect free kick as the main outcome of the infraction. A direct free kick would not apply here since impeding by itself does not constitute a foul capable of resulting in a direct free kick. A penalty kick is only awarded if the foul occurs within the penalty area against an attacker, which is not the situation described when a defender merely impedes an attacker by positioning themselves between the attacker and the ball.

Thus, the correct restart is indeed an indirect free kick, and if necessary, a yellow card can accompany that decision if warranted by the referee’s discretion in determining the nature of the infraction.