Question Number: 30099

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/11/2016

RE: Rec Adult

John Jacobs of Vancouver , BC Canada asks...

Hello, is it legal in soccer for a defender to bend down on one knee to block or intercept a shot or pass? One knee is either a few inches above the ground or touching the ground at almost 90 degree angle.

I've been told it is not allowed but can't find any reference for this.

Recreation leagues prohibit slide tackles which is understandable but I'm looking to get an experienced referees perspective on the knee bend to ground, because I keep getting called for a foul whenever I bend down on one knee when in front of the goal area to block a shot on goal or intercept a ground pass, and I can't understand what's the issue with it. Most of the time the knee doesn't touch the ground but gets close.

Thanks for your help!

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi John,
short answer is YES!
As for being told no who is saying that and what rational do they use given there is none? There is nothing within the LOTG that make the action you describe as an infraction or foul. A tackle to challenge for the ball involving a possible collision and a challenge to block the ball just to intercept would seem to be judged differently in my opinion. If the recreational league bans slide tackles as safety deterrent then possibly your actions are viewed in that light?
To tell you the truth I am baffled by the thought unless you were guilty of PIADM by engendering your safety in a close challenge. Perhaps it is being confused with a tackle that does not permit you to go to ground? Unfortunately there is a prevailing myth that a player cannot play the ball while on the ground. This is a false premise but uneducated officials do tend to muck this up on occasion!? Or if it blocks the ball perhaps in a challenge it causes a trip? Get us a video, going to need to see what the referee is seeing and calling. In the meantime get in touch with the association to check bylaws and talk to the referee instructors in charge!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi John
No such offence and that is why you cannot find any reference to this. There are myths in the game about playing the ball on the ground. If a player is on the ground clearly his mobility is significantly impaired and as a result he can in certain circumstances be a danger to himself and others. Trying to get out of the way of an opponent while on the ground is difficult and also it can prevent an opponent from playing the ball for fear of kicking that player. Most other times there is no danger due to the positioning of players so there is no need to intervene. Making oneself bigger by kneeling is certainly not an offence. Goal keepers do it all the time and are in fact coached to do it.
So going down on a knee is in no way a danger and the referee should not intervene.
Now is there any possibility here that the notion of taking a knee which is prevalent in other sports has migrated erroneously in certain parts across to soccer. I have read of examples of underage players taking a knee which is a signal of an injury and a desire to stop play? Is it a borrow from football that when a quarterback goes down on a knee to signal that the play has ended or some sort of custom about respect ?
Anyway there is no offence of going down on a knee or going to ground in any fashion except where there is potential danger to the player or an opponent in such circumstances while playing the ball.