Question Number: 2013

RE: Rec Under 10

Ron White of Noblesville, IN USA asks...

During an in house tournement an attacking player inside the penalty area kicked the ball towards the goal mouth.The ball hit a defending player in the front of his shoulder. The Center called a hand ball and awarded a IFK from where the ball was kicked. During half time he informed the parents that he could have red carded the offendng player. From my position and the look on the player's face it was obvious that the contact was accidentalA hand ball includes the hand and arm but in your opinion where does the arm begin. I know this sounds odd but I would like to know. Your opinion on the incident, ruling, and question would be greatly appreciated..Thank you

Answer provided by Referee Stacy Kalstrom

According to Law 12 a handball committed inside the penalty area by a defender results in a PENALTY KICK not an Indirect freekick. SO even if it was a handball it was in incorrect restart. It sounds like an inadvertant handball (no call in my opinion based on your info). In under 10 you have new referees, they are learning just like the parents and kids. Be patient and maybe tell the assignor about this mistake so he an properly instruct the referee...In order for it to be a red card offense, the player commiting the INTENTIONAL handball must deny an obvious goal scoring opportunity. NO red card, es pecially at this age.

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