Question Number: 12553

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/13/2006

RE: Select Adult

Dave of Columbus, OH US asks...

This question is a follow up to question 9105

As I understand both answers here, when Player A does not go up for a header and Player B does, there is no foul if Player B first contacts the ball before landing on Player A. This assumes Player B did not contact A prior to heading the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Dave, you're not going to like this answer: it all depends on what the meaning of landing on the opponents is?

Reason, jump at an opponent is foul play under Law 12. Just because a player plays the ball between the time he leaves the ground (becomes a ballistic object) and he makes contact with his opponent does not give him the right to jump at carelessly, recklessly or with excessive force. Judge that action! Sometimes you'll offer needed protection to the gent getting crunched. That'll save you a caution or sending-off later in the match, you betcha!

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If player B goes straight up and comes straight down, I fail to see how he can foul player A. However, just because he performs a header he doesn't have license to move forward or backwards into a space already occupied by Player A. Likewise, he must keep his hands,arms and legs to himself.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 12611