Question Number: 13757

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/13/2006

RE: REC, Select, Comp Adult

Rick Bennett of Bellevue, WA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 12648

I am hoping for further clarification on handling the ball. Can the area between the shoulder and the chest, on the front side of the shoulder, be used for controlling the ball. I have often seen this and it looks to me that the ball is hitting the front of the bicep. Especially when the arm is forward of the torso when the player is leaning into the ball. This may seem like nitpicking but when a goal is the end result it could make the difference in a close game.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

This is deliberately handling the ball. No way a normal human can avoid hitting the ball with his arm on this one. Few referees realize it either...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Agreed. The ball will have to be more on the chest to avoid a handling violation.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Alexander

Where the arm is extended beyond the body there can be little doubt in the referee's mind that controlling the ball is likely to have been assisted by a portion of the upper arm. Most referees will rightly give a direct free kick to the defending team in this instance.