Question Number: 29936

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/21/2015

RE: Competive Adult

Richard Knight of Stilwell, Oklahoma United States asks...

Is it legal to redirect a ball with one's shoulder? I was taught that constitutes a handball (handling). I don't mean (of course) just the ball striking the player on the shoulder, but the player attempting to direct the ball using the shoulder.

What say you?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Richard
For handling purposes a player may not use his upper arm to redirect the ball. The arm is defined from the point of the fingers to the shoulder joint that is usually where the shirt seam is. So if a player uses his upper arm to redirect the ball that is deliberate handling and a foul.
Now the challenge for the referee is determining if the upper arm is used. Many times the player will uses his chest area close to his arm. Certainly when it is the arm only there is never any debate that it is handling. When it is both chest and arm it can be difficult and players would be best advised to move the arm back behind the chest before doing this.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Richard,

It is legal to control the ball with the top of the shoulder, as long as it's the top , or the front, bony part of the shoulder. If the ref thinks it's gone a bit lower and it's on the upper arm, then this becomes deliberate handling.

Sometimes it can be difficult for the referee to tell.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Richard
you can pop the ball up in the air with the top of the shoulder but you can not direct the ball or trap it onto the chest by rotating it in using the front part of the shoulder to help chest a ball. Place the arm behind you if a ball catches you near the top of the chest in the high shoulder area it might help distinguish it from being used to play the ball with the top of the arm versus only the chest.
Cheers