Question Number: 30887

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/11/2016

RE: Amateur Adult

George of Parangarecutirimicuaro, CA Sacratomato asks...

A defender blasts a ball upfield. The attacker sprints and jumps as high as he can to block the ball. In midair, attacker sees the ball coming and sticks his hand against his body in the spot where the contacts is going to happen (between the chest and abdomen). AR calls a handball and the coach runs over to complain. His argument is that there is no handball so long as the hands and arms are pressed against the body.

Was this a hadball? There was clear intent from the attacker. Is there anything in the rulebook to back the coaches argument?

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi George,

No, there is nothing in the Laws of the Game about hands being pressed against the body. The only phrase related to the position of the hands is one saying that:

''the position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an infringement''

Now, to be honest, I've never been quite sure exactly how to interpret this and I don't think it's actually very helpful. Because if you say that it doesn't necessarily mean there's an infringement, it also allows for the interpretation that it doesn't necessarily mean there isn't.

Anyway, more important I believe, for the scenario you describe is another phrase that appears on the same page, saying that the referee must consider:

''the movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand)''

If, as you say, the attacker clearly intended to handle the ball and if moreover he moved his hand towards the ball in order to do so, then I think that meets the definition of ''handles the ball deliberately.''

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi George
As described this is deliberate handling. The player has deliberately moved his arms towards the ball in a way to assist the playing of the ball. If one looks at the Pro game some players move their arms behind their body for this very reason. Sure they could press their arms to their side and in front yet they know that could easily be called as handling.
So for me once the player deliberately and knowingly moves the arms into the path of the ball that is handling. In the case of a protective reaction from short distance I do not call those particularly when the player is turning away and it is an instinctive protective reaction. However when a player comes to charge the ball with his arms raised no matter if they are close to the body before the kick then it is handling. The challenge for the referee is probably determining the point of contact on the body and if the ball in fact was played by the arm. As speed and with a poor angle of view that can be missed.
If one looks at the advice on a defensive wall referees will inform players that once they jump with their arms in a protective position that is deemed to be handling. If they simply stand there doing nothing it is not.
This is what USSF said at one time and I quote
**Before the taking of a free kick, the hands and/or arms must be in a set position. Any movement of the hand and/or arms once the free kick is taken, where there is contact with the hands and/or arm and ball, is to be considered deliberate and therefore an infraction. A hand that is set (position established) before the kick to protect the face and/or groin may not be moved in any direction. This includes, forward, to the side and/or above the head. If the player jumps, this shall be considered a deliberate movement and, therefore, the consequences of the movement must be penalized as handling. The static position of the player and the motionless positioning of the arms, only works when the player is in the set position. Any movement means that the player does not need to protect himself as he is able to move and therefore NOT able to use his hand or arm to address the ball. Any movement which initiates contact between the hand/arm and ball is a violation and must be considered a deliberate handball (“making yourself bigger”) which must be penalized by a direct free kick and a ceremonial restart. If this occurs in the penalty area, then a penalty kick must be awarded.**
See Clip 2 in this
http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/13/44/2010-referee-week-in-review-16#ooid=s0cXVrMToO-qlT0fFRF35MXH5sKCnrjj

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