Question Number: 23219

Law 5 - The Referee 4/30/2010

RE: Rec, Select Under 13

James of Gulf Breeze, FL USA asks...

I will be the center for a U-11 girls game at a tournament, and it will be the first tournament center for me. I will be looking forward to parents yelling, 'Handball', and I know I will need to be up-to-date on all the aspects of 'deliberate handling.' What are some tips for recognizing 'deliberate handling'?
I have read from various sources online that:
a) If the player's hands are in an unnatural position and the player touches the ball with their hands, it is deliberate handling
b) If the player involuntarily protects themselves, blocks the ball with their hands, and then gains an advantage from this action, it is deliberate handling.

Is what I have stated above correct?
Thank you so much,
James

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

First of all, congratulations on your center! It is great that you are already thinking ahead about what your games might be like, and how to prepare. I am particularly impressed that you are looking to call deliberate handling correctly, as it is the most over-called offense by referees in their early years. It sounds like you could be avoiding that trap - good on you!

If no part of the handling equation is deliberate, there is no offense. If the ball falls advantageously to the player whose arm/hand touched the ball, it doesn't matter unless the touch itself was deliberate. You have to have an offense before you can have an advantage.

An involuntary response to protect one's face or sensitive body parts will be quite common among the recreational and select U13's. Ignore it unless they push the ball away with their hands. Now you're stuck with deliberate handling. When parents/coaches scream 'Handball, ref!' just smile, and say 'Not deliberate!', which will generally leave them scratching their heads.

My advice to you is to not go looking for deliberate handling at this age and skill level. If it is deliberate, it will stand out like a sore thumb (pun intended) and you can try to beat the parents' screams with your whistle! But if you aren't sure, then don't bother. It was probably either an accident or a very doubtful call, and we don't make those for the sake of the game. Just shake your head and remind the players to play the whistle.

When players get more skilled, it is much harder to detect a deliberate handling disguised with the unnatural position of the arm/hand, or the chest trap that includes part of the arm(s) or shoulder, or the header where the arm just happens to help the player control the ball. But don't worry too much about those things in this tournament because most of the players will have no idea how to cheat like that yet. Have fun!

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

99 percent of the parents who call for 'hand ball' are wrong. Ignore them. 80 percent of the coaches who call for handball are probably wrong. Most just want to know if you didn't see it or if you saw it but didn't think it was deliberate. Saying, 'Not deliberate,' is a quick way to let them know which.
As you start out, the best question to ask yourself is 'did the player control the ball?' With young players, just trying to protect themselves, isn't trying to control the ball. Bad hops aren't controlling the ball. Sometimes the players are doing everything possible not to touch the ball with their arms (reacting like the ball is some sacred relic). Trust your gut and watch the whole play. The fouls are obvious. If its doubtful, however, don't stop play.

Enjoy your first match, and don't worry. I've yet to see any referee call the perfect match. Be calm and smile. It's a fun game.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I agree with your statement (a), but disagree with (b).

(B) can be modified to make it true - if a player instinctively protects herself and the ball hits her hand/arm, and she then continues the contact to direct the ball, that is deliberate handling. But not if the ball just happens to fall fortuitiously after non-deliberate contact.