Soccer Referee Resources
Home
Ask a Question
Articles
Recent Questions
Search

You-Call-It
Previous You-Call-It's

VAR (Video Assistant Referee)

Q&A Quick Search
The Field of Play
The Ball
The Players
The Players Equipment
The Referee
The Other Match Officials
The Duration of the Match
The Start and Restart of Play
The Ball In and Out of Play
Determining the Outcome of a Match
Offside
Fouls and Misconduct
Free Kicks
Penalty kick
Throw In
Goal Kick
Corner Kick


Common Sense
Kicks - Penalty Mark
The Technical Area
The Fourth Official
Pre-Game
Fitness
Mechanics
Attitude and Control
League Specific
High School


Common Acronyms
Meet The Ref
Advertise
Contact AskTheRef
Help Wanted
About AskTheRef


Soccer Rules Changes 1580-2000


Panel Login

Question Number: 19574

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 7/5/2008

RE: Adult

Kirk LeCompte of Lawrence Township, NJ USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 16530

As a training tool, without questioning the ref's opinion in this particular game, I'd like to focus on a defender's attempt (as in the situation described) to deliberately make contact with the ball with her foot. Clearly she was trying to trap or deflect or in some way play the ball to her team's advantage. She succeeded in making contact with the ball using her foot. Immediately after this success, the ball hit her outstretched arm. The immediate consequence of her deliberate behavior to play the ball was that it struck her arm. The ball didn't bounce oddly off the ground, or ricochet off an opponent, rather the ball went directly from her foot to her arm. Certainly it's reasonable to think she didn't want this to happen, but that would just be a guess. The fact that she had time to execute her skills to play the ball is without question. A ref might conclude that the subsequent handling was avoidable. My point is, that had the ref called 'handling the ball,' I think we could agree that his opinion is just as understandable as the ref who didn't see it that way.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Kirk you are over thinking the events. Referees who give handling in this instance are sadly misinformed. Those who do not are correct. Your focus on an event that has nothing to do with deliberately handles the ball clouds your judgement. Each event must be taken in turn and once evaluated the event becomes an historical fact then we go on to the next event.

Regards,



Read other questions answered by Referee Chuck Fleischer

View Referee Chuck Fleischer profile

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I would have to disagree with you quite strongly. All the player in question did was deliberately play the ball with her foot. From the information given she did NOT deliberately play the ball with her hand. The ball flying off her foot is no different than the ball bouncing off the ground and I would have a problem with a referee deciding this was somehow deliberately handling the ball



Read other questions answered by Referee Keith Contarino

View Referee Keith Contarino profile

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Contact alone is never a reason to see a ball hitting the hand as a foul. The deliberate action must entail the placement of the hands or arms as a result of trying to deliberately play the ball. Sometimes a person cannot prevent an instinct to slap or knock a ball down that is close to the arm because they are trying to push it away. As an opinion the referee must see the attempt a a deliberate action the fact a deflection has a favourable result plays no part in a decision.
Cheers



Read other questions answered by Referee Richard Dawson

View Referee Richard Dawson profile

Ask a Follow Up Question to Q# 19574
Read other Q & A regarding Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct

Soccer Referee Extras

Did you Ask the Ref? Find your answer here.


Enter Question Number

If you received a response regarding a submitted question enter your question number above to find the answer




Offside Question?

Offside Explained by Chuck Fleischer & Richard Dawson, Former & Current Editor of AskTheRef

<>
This web site and the answers to these questions are not sanctioned by or affiliated with any governing body of soccer. The free opinions expressed on this site should not be considered official interpretations of the Laws of the Game and are merely opinions of AskTheRef and our panel members. If you need an official ruling you should contact your state or local representative through your club or league. On AskTheRef your questions are answered by a panel of licensed referees. See Meet The Ref for details about our panel members. While there is no charge for asking the questions, donation to maintain the site are welcomed! <>