Question Number: 16898

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/25/2007

RE: High School

Tim of Hastings, MI USA asks...

I was asked about a situation from another coach: a player in a high school game trapped a ball between his chin and chest. He continued down the field in this manner and either ran the ball across the goal line between the goalposts or dropped it short of the goal and kicked it in.

Is this legal to do?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I doubt this is legal even in High SChool which has some strange rules. Why isn't it legal? The player never handled the ball did he? No, but he has committed unsporting behavior which is misconduct. Have a laugh and caution and show the yellow card to this player

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I'm trying to envision how this was done. Either the ball was too small or under-inflated, or this guy has a chin that makes Leno's look small, or maybe he has a concave chest.

Anyway, beside being unsporting for making a mockery of the game, this player was also probably Playing In A Dangerous Manner. It would be nearly impossible for an opponent to challenge him for the ball without the risk of hurting him. PIADM is an indirect free kick foul.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

This player has place the ball in a position where it may not be played without creating a danger to himself. This is playing in a dangerous manner. The referee allowing this is sadly misinformed. He should have instantly stopped play and awarded an indirect free kick to the player's opponents.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

The only way he can get away with this is being so far away from all opponents as to not pose a danger to himself. The instant any opponent wants to play the ball and is within a reasonable vacinity of this guy the referee should stop play and punish him for playing in a dangerous manner.

You cannot penalize the defense in this case by allowing a goal, becuase playing as this guy was forces the defenders to commit a foul to win the ball. There should always be a fair option to play the ball for the defenders.