I have noticed players standing in a line to block free kicks in the World Cup, with some teams choosing to have a player lay along the ground to block lower shots.
Are there any rules preventing teams from stacking players? For example: 3 players standing as the base holding 2 players elevated?
I realize it may not be the greatest strategy for defending, but is it allowed?
I don't believe there is anything in the Laws of the Game (most likely Law 12.3 "Disciplinary Action") which would specifically forbid this; Law 12.3 does include the catch-all allowing a player to be cautioned if they "show a lack of respect for the game" which a referee could use if they felt it necessary.
That said, the rules for sports in general don't need to include things forbidding behaviour which is likely to result to degrade a team/player's performance because there's no need for it unless people are being deliberately silly - in which case the "lack of respect for the game" clause does come into play.
