Question Number: 1977

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct

Barry Rosenfeld of Sugar Land, TX USA asks...

In your response to question 1970 you said tat dangerous play should not be called against a team mate. My understanding is that if the play is dangerous, we are to make the call. In the scenario given, the team mate who was standing over the player seated with the ball between his thighs would reasonably be expected to be careful not to injure his mate. Therefore, I would not call dangerous play. ..On the other hand, if a player gets his foot up around head level near enough to his own team mate to threaten the mate's safety, I would call dangerous play. Is this not an appropriate interpretation of the law?

Answer provided by Referee Stacy Kalstrom

Fouls can only be committed against an opponent. The laws do not allow you to call dangerous play against a team mate. Please check the ATROTLOTG 12.13. It covers "playing in a dangerous manner". It says that ""Playing in a dangerous manner" can only be called if the act, in the opinion of the referee, meets three criteria: the action must be dangerous to someone (including the player himself), it was committed when an opponent was close by, and the dangerous nature of the action caused this opponent to cease his active play for the ball or to be otherwise disadvantaged by his attempt not to participate in the dangerous play."..It goes on to explain in further detail. This book is put out by USSF and is really a usefull tool for all referees. It can be taken off the USSF website.

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

See Question: 24457

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See Question: 24488