Question Number: 30340

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 4/24/2016

RE: Competitive Under 15

Scott of Tacoma, Wa USA asks...

If a player falls with the ball by his feet can he kick the ball while laying on the ground. I see it all the time in the pros but a youth league ref whistled him giving a free kick to the other team.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Scott
There is no restriction of a player laying on the ground playing the ball. There can be a local rule at underage to prevent sliding which is also playing the ball on the ground. However the action must not be dangerous to the player on the ground in such a position. If there is a danger the referee will stop play and award an IDFK to the opponents for the offence of playing in a dangerous manner.
Now the assessment of danger is up to the referee. Clearly a player on the ground cannot move freely or avoid / get out of the way of contact as easily as a standing player. A player laying on or close to the ball risks the possibility of getting kicked accidentally in such a circumstance. That then is a judgement call for the referee to make based on the circumstances such as proximity of player, direction of play, likelihood of a challenge etc. If there is no danger with the ball kicked away then no offence is likely. A player laying on the ball preventing an opponent from playing it runs a high risk of getting a kick or stood on.
Now at youth and underage levels the referee will take less of a risk in such a circumstance and so it is a more likely call at youth level

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Some u-little rules (U8 or U10) may have provisions that slide tackling is not allowed. This gets translated to 'no playing on the ground' - even though that's not what the local modifications say. And then once learned, that non-rule myth continues to be believed. Unfortunately, it's even believed by some referees who should know better.

It should only be called if the player puts himself in a dangerous position by being on the ground. For example, if the player falls and ends up curled partly around the ball, it would be a danger for an opponent to attempt to play the ball. But if no one is going to get kicked, where's the danger?

Regarding the pros, remember that they are much more highly skilled and because of that, what looks to be dangerous to us really isn't a dangerous situation for them. They can safely play through a situation that could cause severe harm to a youth or amateur player.