blocking fouls

[lwswong]

Age old question came up again at a game this week, so i figured i'd poll the audience.

Are defenders who are guarding receivers allowed to use their arms to discourage / impede a receiver from trying to take a space on the field?

in a specific example: defender is guarding a cutting player, and diligently staying in front of their receiver, trying to stop them from getting to one side of the the field. They have their arms spread out as to take up even more space in front. Assuming their have established that space (there is enough distance that contact is avoidable), does the receiver have to go around in order to not cause a foul?

a few questions and considerations:

1) when considering whether space is "established" are outstretched arms considered part of your body? (in other sports, arms would not count, it would just be your torso)
2) does it matter that both the defender and the potential receiver are moving? (note this is not a marking/throwing situation)
3) does it matter if the disc is in the air or not (ie. the defender is ONLY guarding the player, not the disc)

Thanks!

[gkitch]

Anyone who runs downfield while using their arms to impede another player is a turkey and shouldn't be on the field. But to be specific, reckless disregard for the safety of other players is considered dangerous play and results in a foul. Using your arms to impede another player is exactly that.