The stupidest rule in football??

[CBlue]

What about the rule where obstruction is punishable by an indirect free-kick, but if you are guarding a ball over the touchline for a goalkick anything is legal?

You need to understand the rules before making stupid statements about them.

It's only a foul if are not within playing distance of the ball - if you are then you can guard it anywhere on the pitch (including the touchline).

i've always thought this a daft rule too. i reckon you should only be allowed to shield it if you've touched it first, to put it into your possesion.

It isn't a daft rule - it's a very good rule. What you're suggesting is plain stupidity. If an opposing player kicks the ball past you but you get to the ball just before your opponent but haven't touched the ball then you are suggesting that this should be an automatic free kick to the opposition. Same as if you shield the ball back to your goalkeeper so that he can pick it up - in your world it's an automatic free kick.