Question Number: 25469

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 9/19/2011

RE: Competitive Under 16

Matthew Maxwell of Danville, Ca United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 25445

I just had a follow up question regarding the explanation/interpretation of what a deliberate handball is.

If a player moves their arms against their chest (or other sensitive regions) to protect themselves from being hit directly with the ball, would that be considered a handball as they intentionally moved their arms into the flight path of the ball?

If this is an offense, would you suggest calling it at all ages? Or only more senior players (U16 competitive or higher)?

My current opinion would be only to call this offense (?) if it gave the player an advantage.

What do you think?

Thanks again! :)

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

USSF has answered this in the publication, Advice to Referees:

'Moving hands or arms instinctively to protect the body when suddenly faced with a fast approaching ball does not constitute deliberate contact unless there is subsequent action to direct the ball once contact is made. Likewise, placing hands or arms to protect the body at a free kick or similar restart is not likely to produce an infringement unless there is subsequent action to direct or control the ball.'

However, the referee gets to decide how fast that ball has to be approaching to make or not make the call. This varies with age; somewhere between U-little and the pros it goes away completely. But I wouldn't say to never call it at any given age level. It depends on what you see. If it's a high lobbed ball and the player is camped out underneath it waiting for it to fall, she can hardly claim that she crosses her arms for protection. Nope, sorry, think of a better way to play the ball or duck out of the way.

In any event, whether the player gains an advantage from it or not is immaterial. Either it is a reflexive move for protection or it isn't. What happens after that move does not come into the equation.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Ref Voshol sums it up nicely.

Just remember the 2 times a player can legally protect sensitive body parts are at a wall and during live play when it is done reflexively.

The Laws were not written to punish 10 year olds from swatting away a fast moving ball headed towards their face. On the other hand, we expect professionals to move out of the way or head the ball so, no, you do not call this the same for all skill levels.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Matthew
There is no black and white answer here. A reflexive reaction to a ball from close range to protect is not deliberate handling. However a player say jumping at the ball to charge it down and uses his arms to protect is deliberate handling.
Similarly when the ball hit the hands or arm of a player standing in a defensive wall is not deliberate handling when they are placed for protection. However should the player jump or move then that changes the contact to deliberate handling.