Question Number: 12283

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 3/2/2006

RE: High School

EM Pearson of Humboldt, TN USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 12268

Thanks for the help with my previous 'dangerous play' question.

Let me follow with a slightly different, but again very common scenario. Player A has the ball at his feet when an opposing player comes in with sliding tackle cleats up but low and cleanly tackles the ball away. Looks dangerous to me, but no penal foul involved and Player A did not pull back when he saw the cleats coming in on him. Dangerous play?

Here's a final 'dangerous play' scenario I see in competitive youth at about the U14 level. Two players contesting for the ball when one falls and lands on or over the ball. Before he can extricate himself he is kicked by the opposing player. If we apply the 'opposing player pulled back from play' criterion here it isn't dangerous play, is it? Rather it should be a penal foul for kicking. Nevertheless I am always told in clinics that this is dangerous play on the part of the player who has fallen over the ball. What do you think?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Player A in your scenario is not disadvantaged. He doesn't flinch. He doesn't pull up. I doubt I'd call dangerous play. However, he gets nailed with the studs up and we have serious foul play. An example of how something can change dramatically given a difference of a few inches. Second scenario. God forbid I should disagree with any of your instructors!! If a player falls and lands on the ball, and before he even tries to get up, how can he be playing in a dangerous manner when he gets kicked by an opponent? Now, if he lollygags and lays there, then, yes, he's placed himself in a dangerous position by not getting off the ball. Still, even then, the opponent doesn't have carte blanche to haul off and nail the guy.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

My colleagues have covered this well and all I need to add is the possibility of a player lying on the ball for an unnecessarily long period of time, this is misconduct! The player should be cautioned for unsportsmanlike behavior (an American high school term).

Regards,